BILLY'S DOWNFALL
Probably by Zozimus (Michael Moran), 1836

By the mountain Slieve Guillion, the might of O'Mullen,
By the sense of O'Connell that schemers can see,
By our champion Fingall, who invaders beat all,
By Hebrew King Saul and Drumcondra big tree,
By Zozymus Moran, and Catholics shorn,
By Dido forlorn, at Tyre who did fall,
By Tighe's dirty breeches, that both stinks and itches,
I ne'er had a hand in King Billy's downfall.

By the old man's white liver, which Downes made to quiver,
By the great Shannon river, and Brian Boru,
By peelers, pig-stealers, and all dirty dealers,
I vow that my oath is both honest and true.
I owe spite to no man, high Dutchman or low man;
With watchmen, when tipsy, I might have a brawl,
But plotting 'gainst dead men, or knocking down lead men...
I ne'er had a hand in King Billy's downfall.

By the curst sorrel horse that knocked Bill on his arse,
By the grand Orange farce in the Lords now going on,
By the '98 yeomen, who proved they were no men,
By the famous old woman that cracked Caesar's crown,
By Johnny McCrea that at last ran away,
By the big active flea that draws cannon and ball,
By Owen O'Neill who made Bessy to quail,
I ne'er had a hand in King Billy's downfall.

By brave Coriolanus and wiggy McManus,
By dirty King Shamus, that ran from the Boyne,
I never was willing dead men to be killing,
Their scurry blood spilling, with traitors to join.
For true-heart allegiance, without much persuadience,
Myself and all Paddies, we're still at a call,
But to burke a poor king, 'tis a horrible thing,
Granu's sons never heard it in Tara's old hall.

Enclosed in the rails Billy's horse now remains,
And the creature looks blue for his rider that's gone,
But Mallet will strive Billy's shape to revive,
And cause him to ride on his four-footed throne.
But Billy, my boy, on the Twelfth of July
I hope you will try not to dress as before,
For if that you do, perhaps you may rue,
And a visit ensue from some crony once more.

Source: Irish Political Street Ballads and Rebel Songs (1780-1900)
George-Denis Zimmermann, Genève, 1966.