| Share page | Visit Us On FB |
|
THE BOYNE TVATER. 253 |
||
|
THE BOYNE WATER.
This momentous battle was fought on the 1st of July, 1690. James had a strong position and thirty thousand men, two thirds of whom were a worthless rabble. William had thirty-six thousand splendid soldiers. The loss on neither side was great. Of James's troops there fell fifteen hundred, the flower of his army; of the conqueror's not more than five, but with them the great Duke of Schomberg. The present version of this ballad is from Choker's Historical Songs of Ireland, p. 60, given from a MS. copy in the editor's possession.
July the first, in Oldbridge town,
There was a grievous battle, Where many a man lay on the ground,
By the cannons that did rattle, King James he pitched his tents between s
The lines for to retire; But King William threw his bomb-balls in,
And set them all on fire.
Thereat enraged, they vow*d revenge,
Upon King William's forces; 10
1. The Dutch guards first entered the river Boyne at a ford opposite to the little village of Oldbridge.—Ceokbr. |
||