Alexander Brome: Collected Lyrics
77 / 77
Public-domain lyrics

What though the Zealots, pull down the Prelates

Alexander Brome

“What though the Zealots, pull down the Prelates” as printed in Rump Songs (1662).

Alexander Brome: Collected Lyrics Text 77 1662 · historical text
Public domainPolitical songHistorical song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from Rump Songs, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

What though the Zealots, pull down the Prelates,

Push at the Pulpit, and kick at the Crown,

Shall we not ever, strive to endeavour

Once more to purchase our Royal Renown?

Shall not the Roundhead first be confounded?

Sa, sa, sa, sa boyes, ha, ha, ha, ha boyes,

Then wee’le return home, with Triumph and Joy,

Then wee’le be merry, drink Sack and Sherry,

And we will sing Boys, God blesse the King Boys,

Cast up our Caps, and cry, Vive le Roy.

Verse 2

What though the wise, make Alderman Isaack,

Put us into Prison, and steal our Estates;

Though we are forced, to be un-horsed,

And walk on foot, as it pleaseth the Fates,

In the Kings Army, no man will harm ye;

Then come along Boyes, valiant and strong Boys,

Fight for your Goods, which the Roundheads enjoyes;

And when you venter, London to enter,

And when you come Boys, with Phife and Drum Boyes,

Isaack himself shall cry, Vive le Roy.

Verse 3

If not then, chuse him, ’twill not excuse him,

Since honest Parliaments never made them Theeves;

Charles ne’re did furder, Theeves dipt in Murder,

Never by Pardon, long Lease, or Reprieves;

For such Conditions, and Propositions

Will not be granted, then be not daunted,

We will our honest old Customes enjoy:

Pauls now rejected, shall be respected,

And in the Quire, Voyces sing hire,

Thanks to Jehovah, then Vive le Roy.

Credits

Written by Alexander Brome

Words by Alexander Brome. Historical text published in Rump Songs (1662); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

Rump Songs (1662), “What though the Zealots, pull down the Prelates”

This 1662 collection (Rump: or an Exact Collection of the Choycest Poems and Songs Relating to the Late Times, 1639-1661) is credited to Alexander Brome (died 1666); every contributor died more than 330 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide, and the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-26. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
Keep tracing

More from Alexander Brome: Collected Lyrics.

01A CommitteePublic-domain lyrics02A Curtain LecturePublic-domain lyrics03A Dialogue between two Zealots upon the &c. in the OathPublic-domain lyrics04A Loyal Subjects OathPublic-domain lyrics