From the Bodleian Library Ballad Collection, Douce Ballads 4(49), where the broadside is dated "between 1790 and 1813":


THE TIME SERVER;
OR,
Vicar of Bray.

Printed and Sold by T. Evans, 79, Long Lane.

[1] OF BRAY the Vicar long I've been
And many a test and trial
I've stood, and various changes seen,
Yet never prov'd disloyal;
For with the Crown, I always clos'd,
Whatever person wore it,
And every oath the state impos'd,
I ne'er scrupl'd to take it.*

CHORUS.
And this is the law I do maintain,
And to the day I die, will,
That whatsoever King shall reign,
I'll be the Vicar of Bray still.

[2] In Charles the Second's golden reign,
When loyalty had no harm i'nt;
A zealous high Churchman I was,
And so I got preferment;
To teach my flock, I never mist,
Kings were by God appointed;
And he was damn'd that should resist,
Or curse the Lord's annointed.
And this is the law, &c.

[3] When Royal James our King became,
And Popery was in fashion,
The penal laws I voted down,
And read the declaration;
The church of Rome, I found would fit,
Full well my constitution,
And I'd been a Jesuite,
But for the revolution.
And this is the law, &c.

[4] When William was our King declar'd
To redress the Nation's grievance,
With this new whim, I then averr'd,
And swore to him allegiance.
Old principles I then revok'd,
Set conscience at a distance,
And prov'd religion was a joke,
And a jest of no resistance.
And this is the law, &c.

[5] When Royal Ann our Queen became,
The Church of England's glory,
Another face of things was seen,
So I became a Tory;
Occasional conformists base
I curs'd their moderation,
And prov'd the church in danger was,
By such prevarication.
And this is the law, &c.

[6] When G——ge came o'er in pudding time,
And moderate men look'd big, Sir,
The cat in pan I turn'd again,
And so became a Wig, Sir;
By which preferment I procur'd,
From our great faith's defender,
And almost every day abjur'd
The Pope and the Pretender.
And this is the law, &c.

[7] The illustrious house of Hanover,
And Protestant succession,
To them I lustily will cleave
Whilst they can keep possession,
And in my faith no one shall say
Any ways that I do falter,
For G——ge my rightful King shall be,
Until the times do alter.
And this is the law, &c.

[*Someone has crossed out this line and hand-written "I without scruple swore it" – which corrects the rhyme.]