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314 Indiana University Publications, Folklore Series
72 THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE
Professor Kittredge kindly informs me that "The Battle of the Boyne" is to be found in Peter Buchan's Scarce Ancient Ballads (Peterhead, 1817), pp. 37-40. It begins, "July the first. ..," and has twelve eight-line stanzas. I owe to his kindness also the corresponding stanzas from that source, which I include as B. See also Croker, The Historical Songs of Ireland (Percy Society: London, 1841). This version consists of ten eight-line stanzas.
A
"King William III, or, The Battle of the Boyne." Contributed by Mr. 0. P. Kirk, of Oakland City, Indiana. Gibson County. Learned in the '80's from an Irishman in Somerville, Indiana. May 6, 1935.
1. King William said, "I don't deserve
The name of faith's defender If I did not venture life or limb To make a foe surrender."
2. A bullet from the Irish came
That grazed our monarch's arm; We thought at first his majesty was slain, But it did him little harm.
3. "Brave boys," he said, "be not dismayed
At the losing of one commander, For God will be our king this day And I will be general under,"
4. Then let us all with heart and hand
Unite forever after, And bless this noble memoral1 day
Of King William that crossed the water. |
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For memorable. |
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