"The Armourer's Widow".

To turn now to the neighbouring town of Birmingham for a moment, it is evident from the following lines, how the memory of "Rupert's burning love for Birmingham," seared itself into the hearts of the townsmen and their descendents. This song, or something very like it, used to be sung in a sort of wailing monotone by the old nurse of a venerable lady, still living in the middle of the last century.

When Rupert came to Byrmingeham
We were in sorry plyght
Our blood God's earth ystained by daye,
Our homes in blazing ruins laye
And stained the skye at night.

With matchlock and with culverin,
With caliver and drake,
He battered down our ancient town,
He shot our sons and fathers down,
And Hell on earth did make.

Our children's cries, our widows's prayers,
Ascended with the flame,
And called down the wrath divine
Upon the Royal murderer's line,
And brought his kin to shame.

Taken from:
"Tales Of Sutton Town And Chase, With Other Tales, & Some Sketches Collected By "TAU" {pseudonym of Thomas A.Vaughton}, And Now Imprinted For The First Time."

BIRMINGHAM:

Printed and Published by Hudson and Son,
Edmund Street and Livery Street
1904
Copyright Entered at Stationers' Hall

A short verse introduction refers to:

"…..armoursmiths at Birminghan,
Craftsmen stern and strange."