music found in The Orange Book, 1876
published by Whaley Royce & Co., Toronto, Canada
words from Croker’s Historical Songs of Ireland
Lyrics
- July the first, in Oldbridge town
There was a glorious battle
Where many a man lay on the ground
By the cannon that did rattle
King James he pitched his tents between
The lines for to retire
But King William threw his bomb-balls in
And set them all on fire - Thereat enraged they vowed revenge
Upon King William’s forces
And often cried vehemently
That they would stop their courses
A bullet from the Irish came
Which grazed King William’s arm
They thought his Majesty was slain
Yet it did him little harm - Then Duke Schomberg he in friendly care
His king would often caution
To shun the spot where bullets hot
Retained their rapid motion
But William says, “He don’t deserve
The name of Faith’s defender
That would not venture life and limb
To make a foe surrender” - When we the Boyne began to cross
The enemy they defended
But few of our brave men were lost
So stoutly we defended
The horse were first that marchéd o’er
The foot soon followed after
But brave Duke Schomberg was no more
By venturing over the water - The valiant Schomberg he was slain
King William then accosted
His warlike men for to march on
And he would be the foremost
“Brave boys,” he says, “be not dismayed
For the loss of one commander
For God will be our King this day
And I ’ll be general under” - Then stoutly we the Boyne did cross
To give our enemies battle
Our cannon, to our foes’ great cost
Like thundering claps did rattle
In majestic mein our Prince rode o’er
His men soon followed after
With blows and shouts put the foes to rout
The day we crossed the water - The Protestants of Drogheda
Have reason to be thankful
That they were not to bondage brought
They being but a handful
First to the Tholsel they were brought
And tied at Millmount after
But brave King William set them free
For venturing over the water - The cunning French near to Duleek
Had taken up their quarters
And forced themselves on every side
Awaiting for new orders
But in the dead time of the night
They set the fields on fire
And long before the morning light
To Dublin they did retire - Then said King William to his men
After the French departed
“I’m glad indeed that none of ye
Seemed to be faint-hearted
So sheathe your swords, and rest awhile
In time we’ll follow after”
These words he uttered with a smile
The day he crossed the water - Come, let us all, with heart and voice
Applaud our lives’ defender
Who at the Boyne his valor showed
And made his foe surrender
To God above the praise we’ll give
Both now and ever a’ter
And bless the glorious memory
Of King William that crossed the water
Sung here by Fred Feild: