The terms in the lyrics in Randy's first paragraph clearly refer to the
Protestant (English and Dutch) victory over the Catholics (Irish and French)
at the Battle of the Boyne (July 1690.)  "Brave King William" (William III
of William and Mary) defeats King James II.  This song is anti-James.

Harold S. Forsythe
----- Original Message -----
From: "Randy Cabell" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 2:13 PM
Subject: Jamestowne and Boyne Water


Ye gods.... what did researchers do before the Internet?

I found 'Boyne Water' was an old irish song in some (probably 17th or 18th
century) war.  Lots of references in the song with which I am not familiar
like Ouldbridge Town, Duke Schomberg, Prostestants of Drougheda, Brave King
William, Cunning French near to Duleek.

I am wondering a couple of things.  #1 if the poem used at the 1807
Bicentennial was really about Pocohontas.  It says "Ann", but my history is
not good enough to know if maybe that was really a Christian name given her.
#2 If the tune, like Anacreon in Heaven a few years later, was just a
convenient one to hang a poem on to.

Finally, the fact there was apparently a big celebration in 1807 for
Jamestowne is news to me, and quite welcome.  I would like to learn more,
like was Thomas Jefferson there, amongst others.

Randy Cabell

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