ORANGE SONGS » Boyne Water

July the first in old bridge town
There was a grievous battle
Where many a man lay on the ground
By the cannons 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 oft cry vehemently
That they would stop courses
A bullet from the Irish came
Which grazed King William's shoulder
They thought his Majesty was slain
But he said "Pray, no closer"

Then Duke Schomberg, with friendly care
His King would often caution
To shun the spot where bullets hot
Retained their rapid motion
But William said "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 was first that did march o'er
The foot soon followed after
But brave Duke Schomberg was no more
By venturing o'er the water

When valiant Schomberg he was slain
King William he accosted
His warlike men for to march on
And he would be the foremost
"Brave boys", he said, "be not dismayed
For losing one commander
For God will be our King this day
And I'll be the General under"

Then stoutly we the Boyne did cross
To give our foes in 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 blow and shout 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 tried at the Millmount after
But brave King William set them free
By venturing o'er the water

The cunning French near to Dunleek
Had taken up quarters
And fenced themselves on every side
Awaiting for new orders
But in the dead time of night
They set the fields on fire
And long before the morning light
To Dublin they retired

Then said King William to his men
After the French had departed
"I'm glad", he said, "that none of ye
Seemed to be chicken hearted
So sheathe your swords and rest a while
In time we'll follow after"
Those words he uttered with a smile
The day he crossed the water

Come let us all with heart and voice
Applaud our Faith's defender
Who at the Boyne his valour showed
And made his foes surrender
To God above the praise we'll give
Both now and ever after
And bless the glorious memory
Of King William that crossed the Boyne water.