Here is a detailed annotation of the lyrics:
[D] In good King [A] Charles’ [D] golden [A] days, [D] when loyalty no [A] harm [D] meant,
[D] A zealous [A] high [D] churchman was [A] I, [D] and so I gained [A] preferment.
[A] To teach my flock, [D] I never missed
[A] Kings are by God [D] appointed
And damned be [A] he who [D] dare [A] resist or touch the Lord’s [A] annointed. [D]
[A] And this be law, I [D] shall maintain
[A] Until my dying [D] day, sir
That [D] what – [A]soever [D] king may [A] reign,
[D] Still I’ll be the Vicar of [A] Bray, [D] sir.
When royal James usurped the throne, and popery came in fashion,
The penal laws I hooted down, and read the Declaration.
The Church of Rome, I found, did fit
Full well my constitution
And I’d have been a Jesuit, but for the Revolution.
cho:
When William was our King declared, to ease the nation’s grievance,
With this new wind about I steered, and swore to him allegiance.
Old principles I did revoke
Set conscience at a distance,
Passive obedience was a joke, a jest was non-resistance.
cho:
When Royal Anne became our queen, the Church of England’s glory,
Another face of things was seen, and I became a Tory.
Occasional conformists base
I blamed their moderation;
And thought the Church in danger was from such prevarication.
cho:
When George in pudding time came o’er, and moderate men looked big, sir
My principles I changed once more, and I became a Whig, sir.
And thus preferment I procured
From our new Faith’s Defender,
And almost every day abjured the Pope and the Pretender.
cho:
The illustrious house of Hanover and Protestant succession
To these I do allegiance swear — while they can hold possession.
For in my faith and loyalty
I never more will falter,
And George my lawful king shall be — until the times do alter.
cho:
