Variations on the Vicar of Bray for flute trio (piccolo, flute and alto flute) by Traditional Flute Trio - Digital Sheet Music

Instrumental arrangement, with variations, of a satirical anonymous parlour song about a clergyman's fortunate facility to switch religious principles in order to ensure himself the best opportunities by following the preferences of the country's ever changing rulers.Though often believed to refer to a historical figure, the truth of the matter is unknown.There are two versions of the flute trio available, one with piccolo and 2 flutes and one with piccolo, flute and alto flute.The sound sample is an electronic preview.The pdf contains score and parts.The original words are:In good King Charles's golden days,When Loyalty no harm meant;A Zealous High-Church man I was,And so I gain'd Preferment.Unto my Flock I daily Preach'd,Kings are by God appointed,And Damn'd are those who dare resist,Or touch the Lord's Anointed.And this is law, I will maintainUnto my Dying Day, Sir.That whatsoever King may reign,I'll be the Vicar of Bray, Sir!When Royal James posses'd the crown,And popery grew in fashion;The Penal Law I shouted down,And read the Declaration:The Church of Rome I found would fitFull well my Constitution,And I had been a Jesuit,But for the Revolution.And this is Law, etc.When William our Deliverer came,To heal the Nation's Grievance,I turn'd the Cat in Pan again,And swore to him Allegiance:Old Principles I did revoke,Set conscience at a distance,Passive Obedience is a Joke,A Jest is non-resistance.And this is Law, etc.When Royal Anne became our Queen,Then Church of England's Glory,Another face of things was seen,And I became a Tory:Occasional Conformists baseI Damn'd, and Moderation,And thought the Church in danger was,From such Prevarication.And this is Law, etc.When George in Pudding time came o'er,And Moderate Men looked big, Sir,My Principles I chang'd once more,And so became a Whig, Sir.And thus Preferment I procur'd,From our Faith's great DefenderAnd almost every day abjuredThe Pope, and the Pretender.And this is Law, etc.The Illustrious House of Hanover,And Protestant succession,To these I lustily will swear,Whilst they can keep possession:For in my Faith, and Loyalty,I never once will faulter,But George, my lawful king shall be,Except the Times should alter.And this is Law, etc.