The Contested Subjects - celebrating the election victory of Sir William Prichard
Written in 1682 and intended to be sung to the tune of “Now, now the fight’s done” by Henry Purcell, "The Contested Subjects or the Citizens' Joy" offers a fascinating window into a world of high passions and fiercely held beliefs and loyalties. The song, the author unknown, was penned upon the election of Sir William Prichard (also spelt Pritchard) to the office of Lord Mayor of London, the election having been decided by a recount of dubious accuracy. It was sung by those celebrating his victory.
Now, now the time's come, Noble Prichard is chose,
In spight of all people that would him oppose:
The King and His Subjects I hope will agree,
That troubles and dangers, forgotten may be;
Then now London Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper our King.
“The difference now I hope is Compos'd,
And the confidence that is in our Mayor Repos'd;
I do hope will be answer'd in every degree,
If so, then no subjects more happy than we;
Then brave London Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"Our Flourishing Monarch, whose Fame Both abound,
The Defender of Faith, I do hope will be found:
Let the Turk and the Pope, both of him stand in fear,
Whose Protestant Principles, now are so clear;
That the brave London Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"Do but mind how the Heavens upon us do smile,
And the Pope's expectations do clearly beguile:
To oblige Sinful Men, from their fault to refrain;
That in Heaven above, they with Saints may remain;
Then Protestant subjects be merry and sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"The Divisions of late, that did strangely increase,
I hope will conclude in a Flourishing Peace;
And England be freed from the dangers and fears,
Which seemed for to threaten her several years:
Then may loyal Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"And who can foretell what God's love will bestow
On us sinful Men who Inhabit below?
Since dayly we find that the Powers above,
Sends us dayly Symptomes of Mercy and Love:
But let brave Loyal Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"Thrice happy are Subjects, yea, Blessed are they
Who honour their Prince and God's Laws do obey:
Upon that Blest Land will Providence flow,
“Twere happy for England if we could do so;
Yet London brave citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper our King.
"What Prince ever Reign'd in this Island before,
More filled with Love, that hath Mercy in Store?
That freely forgives many who do offend,
In hopes to find Mercy himself, in the end:
Then brave London Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"Then lift up your Souls both in Heart and in Voice,
Bless Heaven so kind, for so happy a Choice;
As lately was made, to the People's content
Of which I do hope they will never repent:
While the brave London Citizens merrily Sing
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
“You have English Subjects, that Honour your Prince,
Take pattern by me and let reason Convince:
That our King doth endeavour this Land to Advance,
And not keep you like the Poor Serviles in France;
Then let London Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"Of Whigs and Torys, we hear shall no more,
These names of distinctions did trouble some sore:
But since God and the King, to England are friends,
Know, where strife amongst Subjects so strangely depend,
Then let London Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"Do but mind with what joy this Mayor was receiv'd
TwouId make you admire, by some not believ'd:
But 'tis certainly sure give but credit to me,
That goes not by Here-say, but this I did see:
Then London brave Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
In spight of all people that would him oppose:
The King and His Subjects I hope will agree,
That troubles and dangers, forgotten may be;
Then now London Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper our King.
“The difference now I hope is Compos'd,
And the confidence that is in our Mayor Repos'd;
I do hope will be answer'd in every degree,
If so, then no subjects more happy than we;
Then brave London Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"Our Flourishing Monarch, whose Fame Both abound,
The Defender of Faith, I do hope will be found:
Let the Turk and the Pope, both of him stand in fear,
Whose Protestant Principles, now are so clear;
That the brave London Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"Do but mind how the Heavens upon us do smile,
And the Pope's expectations do clearly beguile:
To oblige Sinful Men, from their fault to refrain;
That in Heaven above, they with Saints may remain;
Then Protestant subjects be merry and sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"The Divisions of late, that did strangely increase,
I hope will conclude in a Flourishing Peace;
And England be freed from the dangers and fears,
Which seemed for to threaten her several years:
Then may loyal Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"And who can foretell what God's love will bestow
On us sinful Men who Inhabit below?
Since dayly we find that the Powers above,
Sends us dayly Symptomes of Mercy and Love:
But let brave Loyal Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"Thrice happy are Subjects, yea, Blessed are they
Who honour their Prince and God's Laws do obey:
Upon that Blest Land will Providence flow,
“Twere happy for England if we could do so;
Yet London brave citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper our King.
"What Prince ever Reign'd in this Island before,
More filled with Love, that hath Mercy in Store?
That freely forgives many who do offend,
In hopes to find Mercy himself, in the end:
Then brave London Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"Then lift up your Souls both in Heart and in Voice,
Bless Heaven so kind, for so happy a Choice;
As lately was made, to the People's content
Of which I do hope they will never repent:
While the brave London Citizens merrily Sing
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
“You have English Subjects, that Honour your Prince,
Take pattern by me and let reason Convince:
That our King doth endeavour this Land to Advance,
And not keep you like the Poor Serviles in France;
Then let London Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"Of Whigs and Torys, we hear shall no more,
These names of distinctions did trouble some sore:
But since God and the King, to England are friends,
Know, where strife amongst Subjects so strangely depend,
Then let London Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
"Do but mind with what joy this Mayor was receiv'd
TwouId make you admire, by some not believ'd:
But 'tis certainly sure give but credit to me,
That goes not by Here-say, but this I did see:
Then London brave Citizens merrily Sing,
God Bless Noble Prichard, and Prosper the King.
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