first premiered in 1728, using popular folk tunes for its score. Here, the lyrics are: The Modes of the Court so common are grown, That a true Friend can hardly be met; Friendship for Interest is but a Loan, Which they let out for what they can get. 'Tis true, you find Some Friends so kind, Who will give you good Counsel themselves to defend. In sorrowful Ditty, They promise, they pity, But shift for your Money, from Friend to Friend. Protestant Boys One of the best-known parodies of "Lillibullero" is the Ulster Protestant folk lyric called "Protestant Boys". The song is played by flute bands accompanying the Orange Order during Orange or band-only parades, which have been the subject of controversy during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. There are two versions of "Protestant Boys", both sung to the tune of "Lillibullero". They begin as follows: Version 1 The Protestant Boys are loyal and true Stout hearted in battle and stout-handed too The Protestant Boys are true to the last And faithful and peaceful when danger has passed And Oh! they bear and proudly wear The colours that floated o'er many a fray Where cannon were flashing And sabres were clashing The Protestant Boys still carried the day. Version 2 Tel me, my friends, why are we met here? Why thus assembled, ye Protestant Boys? Do mirth and good liquor, good humour, good cheer, Call us to share of festivity's joys? Oh, no! 'tis the cause, Of king – freedom – and laws, That calls loyal Protestants now to unite; And Orange and Blue, Ever faithful and true, Our king shall support, and sedition a fright. Nottingham Ale "Nottingham Ale" is an English drinking song sung to the tune of "Lillibullero". The historian Blackner relates that a person of the name Gunthorpe, who within memory of persons then living [1815] kept the PunchBowl public house in Peck Lane Nottingham, sent a barrel of ale of his own brewing as a present to his brother, an officer in the navy, who in return composed this poetic epistle. It appears to have been a popular song around the end of the 18th century and was one which Goldsmith enjoyed especially when sung by one of the comic singers who frequented one of his haunts in London. It was sung at the launching ceremony of the Nottingham, an East Indiaman, on March 7,