Extract from a Jacobite song, consisting of 43 verses, calling for the return to the throne of James Francis Edward Stuart and end to rule by George I, House of Hanover, 1722 (SP 35/40 f179)
Transcript
A PROPHETICK
CONGRATULATORY HYMN TO HIS SACRED
BRITANNICK MAJESTY KING JAMES THE III
Written by Mr—during his Concealment after his Escape from—
O.S & Left at his Lodgings
I.
Sound the shrill Trumpet, fill it’s Silver Womb
With sweeter Notes than ever yet were blown
Great Britain’s Majesty to welcome home.
II.
Tune all Your Instruments & Voices raise
With loftier strains, & with Seraphick Lays
To Heaven’s & to immortal James’s Praise.
III.
See, See, He comes of all Mankind the first,
Insufferings, Pietie, & Experience nurs’d,
The Royal Englishman, Great, Good & Just:
IV.
On tiptoes Atlas then, Lift Heaven more high,
And give us Air enough to breath our Joy
In raptures rivalling Heaven’s Hierarchy;
V
No more shall foreign scum pollute our Throne;
No longer under such. We’ll blush & groan;
But Englishmen an English King will own.
Glossary for source 1
Prophetick: to happen in the future
Congratulatory: to express praise and pleasure
James III: son of James II, king of England, James Edward Francis Stuart, also called ‘The Old Pretender’, he claimed the English, Scottish and Irish thrones (as James III of England and Ireland and James VIII of Scotland) from the death of his father in 1701
Seraphick: like an angel of the highest class who was caretaker for God’s throne
Loftier strains: higher melodies or tunes
Heaven’s Hierarchy: According to medieval Christian theologians, the angels are organized into three levels each made up of different orders or choirs
Immortal: never ending, for all time
Pietie: piety, holiness or dutiful respect
Atlas: Greek god responsible for holding the heavens on his shoulders
Questions
- What qualities does King James III have according to these verses?
- How is language used to suggest he has these qualities?
- Who is the ‘foreign scum’ on the throne referred to in the song?
- How effective do you think a song might be as a piece of propaganda?