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The National Music of America. 25
sang. He displayed his hatred of the devices of popery by smashing the organs in many of the English churches and cathedrals. Even his war-songs were tinged with a religious swing. One of the favourite songs of the Cromwellian soldiers had a strong flavour of psalm-singing in its measures. It was written by Francis Quarles.1 Its peculiar character made it easy to burlesque and parody. In the time of the restoration the cavaliers of the court of Charles II. added verses in derision of the Puritans, of which we append an example.
" What though the king and Parliament Do not accord together, We have more cause to be content, This is our sunshine weather.
" A time may come to make us rue And time may set us free, Except the gallows claim his due For hey then, up go we! "
1 Yet Quarles was a Royalist, and faithful to Charles I. Chappell (" National English Airs "), however, speaks of " Hey then up goe we " as " a great favourite with the Roundhead party." |
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