July the First in Ouldbridge Town
There was a grievous battle
Where many a man lay on the ground
By cannons that did rattle;
King James he pitched his tents
Between the lines for to retire,
But King William threw his bombballs in
And set them all on fire.
2. There at they vowed revenge
Upon King William's forces,
And oft did vehemently cry
That they would stop their courses;
A bullet from the Irish cannon
Grazed King William's arm,
They thought His Majesty was slain,
Yet it did him little harm.
3. Duke Schomberg then, in 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,
Who would not venture life and limb
To make a foe surrender."
4. When we the Boyne began to cross,
The enemy descended,
But few of our brave men were lost,
So stoutly we defended;
The Horse it was that first marched o'er,
The Foot soon followed after,
But brave Duke Schomberg was no more
By venturing o'er the water.
5. When valiant Schomberg he was slain,
King William he accosted,
His warlike men for to march on
And he would be foremost;
"Brave boys", he cried, "be not dismayed
For the loss of one commander,
For God shall be our kin this day
And I'll be general under."
| 6. Then stoutly we the Boyne did cross
To give the enemies battle;
Our cannon to our foes great cost,
Like thundering claps did rattle;
In majestic mien our Prince rode o'er
His men soon followed after,
With blow and shout put our foe to the rout,
The day we crossed the water.
7. The Protestants of Drogheda
Have reason to be thankful
That they were not to bondage brought,
They being but a handful;
First to the Those they were brought
And tried at Millmount after,
But brave King William set them free
By venturing o'er the water.
8. The cunning French near to Duleek
Had taken up their quarters,
And found themselves on every side
Still waiting for new orders;
But in the dead time of the night
They set the fields on fire
And long before the morning's light
To Dublin did retire.
9. Then said King William to his men
After the French departed,
I'm glad, said he that none of ye
Seem to be faint-hearted;
So sheath your swords and rest awhile,
In time we'll follow after.
These words he uttered with a smile
The day he crossed the water.
10. Come let us all with heart and voice
Applaud our lives defender
Who at the Boyne his valor showed
And mad his for surrender
To God above, the praise we'll give
Now and ever after,
And bless the glorious memory
Of King William that crossed the water.
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