The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #149373   Message #3475176
Posted By: GUEST,Fred McCormick
03-Feb-13 - 06:02 AM
Thread Name: Anti-Monarchist Folk Songs
Subject: RE: Anti-Monarchist Folk Songs
Sadly enough, there's not all that many of them around. Here's one however which ought to be in wider circulation. I should warn folks, it's been somewhat altered and trimmed by me but, if I remember right, you can find the original in Pepys' Ballads.

It goes to the tune of Greensleeves, BTW.

Epithalamium; Or a Wedding Song On the Supposed Marriage of the Supposed Prince of Wales, to the supposed Grandchild of the French King, the Supposed Son Of Louis the 13th, as it was with the consent of his holiness, (or rather his wickedness), the Pope of Rome, Solemnized From Paris to Purgatory the third of the Last Greek Calends 1689. To the Tune of, Lulla by baby, &c. Licensed and Entered According to Order.

1. Pray rub up your Ears, and I'll tell you a thing,
The wonder of Subjects, the Wit of a King:
Then pray give attention to what I do Sing,
Ch; Sing tantara rara rara Boys hey, Boys hey, sing tantara rara rara Boys hey

2. The Young Prince of Wales he went over to France,
To fiddle and fence, and learn to Dance;
And there he did meet with a Mistress by chance
Ch:

3. He spy'd from his Cradle a Princess, that Cry'd,
The Dauphin's young Daughter with Swadling Clouts ty'd:
And fell in a Passion, as if he would have dy'd.
Ch:

4. The Prince to a minute, was half a year old;
The Princess a quarter, but bucksome and bold,
And both they were willing their Loves to unfold.
Ch:

5. Young Innocent mumbl'd, and fumbl'd the Wench;
And she sweetly answered, by Smiling, in French:
But she with her Rattle his passion did quench.
Ch:

6. At last they agreed, and to marriage they went:
The day being appointed, mistakes to prevent;
And the Turk's Great Defender he gave his Consent.
Ch:

7. The Priest he made halt, and joined their Hands;
And thus he secur'd them, in Wedlock Bands,
Yet neither had Kingdom, nor People, nor Lands.
Ch:

8. When both were a Bed, and the Candle put out,
And the Bride-groom drew nearer he Shit in his Clout,
And the Wedding did end with a Stink and a Rout.
Ch: