The history and politics of the English protest song

1640

Alas said the Papist, now wee must depart, The Scottish: man reply’d, I am glad at my heart

Tune: Open The Door
Lyrics: Unknown

Jesuite.
Proud Scot I doe hate thee, I sweare by the masse
Thou hast bin the causer of our disgrace,
Now we must be banisht from place to place;
Therefore I must bid you adeu.

Scot.
I am sorry you should be to folly inclin'd,
Poore ignorant persons why are you so blind?
Now you must take shipping, pray for a good winde;
So farewell accursed Crew.

Jesuite.
Say what thou wilt, but doe not Papists deride,
We had got sweet England almost on our side,
But she hath forsooke us in height of our pride;
Therefore I must bid you adeu.

Scot.
Hereof no harme at all, yet I protest,
Of all other matters this likes mee the best,
Then England and Scotland will live both at rest,
So farewell your cursed Crew.

Jesuite.
Speak truth Scot & spare not, else preethee forbeare;
For what was done, was for your lasting wellfare,
Methinkes thou dost prate more then comes to thy share,
Therefore I must bid you adeu.

Scot.
Blind Beadsman I tell thee, I prate not in vaine,
To stay in your Country, you cannot obtaine,
Your Romish Religion, we hate and disdaine;
So farewell accursed Crew.

Jesuite.
Wee meant to joyne Englands Religion with Rome,
Which might have continued, till the day of doome,
But we were prevented, so nothing was done:
Therefore I will bid you adeu.

Scot.
Your hellish inventions will not be forgot,
You thought for to see the downfall of the Scot,
For which there is many must goe to the pot:
So farewell your cursed Crew.

Jesuite.
I heare that of Organs, thou wilt not alow
To stand in your Churches, nor bodies to bow
To the holy Altars, come answer me now,
Before I doe bid thee adeu.

Scot.
Your vaine Ceremonies wee cannot indure,
You pray to such Gods and no helpe can procure:
You worship Romes Idolls, your wayes are impure,
So farewell your cursed Crew.

Lyrics

This pro-Covenanter song protests that there was a ‘popish’ plot to revert England to Rome (MP John Pym made a speech to this effect on 7 November 1640). Parodying a popular love song of the period, it features a dialogue between a fleeing ‘Jesuite’ and a Scottish soldier and complains of the introduction of ‘popish’ rituals and music in English churches. Only half the song survives, but it is unique in using balladry to protest exclusionary church music.

Cause: Anti-Papist | Religious Radical
Theme: Political Process | War and Peace | Freedoms
Addressed to: English | General Public
Proposal/Solution: Deportation