The ●raise of Saint David's day.  
Showing the Reason why the Welshmen honour the Leek on that day.  
To the tune of When this Old Cap was new.  

 
 

Who list to read the deeds  
by valiant Welshmen done,  
Shall find them worthy m●n of Arms,  
as breath is beneath the Sun:  
They are of valiant hearts,  
of nature kind and meek,  
An honour on Saint david's, day,  
it is to wear a Leek.   

The Welch most ancient is  
of this our famous land,  
Who were the first that conquered it,  
by force and warlike hand.  
From Troy stout, Brute did come,  
this kingdom for to seek;  
Which was possessed by savage-men,  

than honoured be the Leek.    

He having won the same,  
and put them to the sword:  
Of Brute did Britain first take name,  
as Chronicles record.  
The Welsh true Britons are,  
whose swords in blood did reek,  
Of Pagan men being heathenish,  

then honoured be the Leek.    

And now if you would know,  
why they the Leek do wear,  
In honour of Saint David's day,  
It plainly shall appear.  
Upon Saint David's day,  
and first of March that week,  
The Welshmen with their foes did join,  

than honoured be the Leek.    

And being in the field,  
their valour they did try;  
Where thousands on both sides being slain,  
within their bloods did lie.  
And they not knowing how  
their friends from foes to seek,  
Into a Garden they did go,  
where each one pulled a Leek:   

And wore it in his Hat,  
their Countrymen to know;  
And their most valiantly they did,  
o'ercome their warlike for.  
Then were no colours known,  
nor any feathers eke;  
The feathers first or'ginall,  
it was the Welch-man's Leek,   

And ever since that time,  
the Leek they use to wear  
In honour of Saint David's day,  
they do that Trophy bear.  
A Reverend Bishop was  
Saint David mild and meek,  
And 'tis an honour that same day,  
for them to wear a Leek.    

The second part.  
To the same tune.  
 
 

FOr Englishmen Saint George,  
Saint Andrew for the Scot,  
Saint Patericke for Ireland,  
Saint David Welshman's Lot:  
In honour of which Saint,  
those Country men do seek,  
For to remember the same day,  
in wearing of a Leek.   

Each Country hath his Saint,  
why should not Welsh-men than  
Give honour to her Country due,  
as well as other men,  
A Reason for the same,  
are many men to seek,  
Then Know it is an honour brave,  
that day to wear a Leek.   

What Royal Princes have,  
in fruitful Wales been borne,  
Yea for to wear a Leek that day,  
they took it for no scorn.  
The seventh Henery,  
was borne on mountain Peke,  
Which on that day did use to wear,  
in solemn sort the Leek.   

From him Elizabeth,  
did lineally descend,  
Who did the Gospel true maintain,  
until her life did end,  
And she upon that day,  
with diverse Courtiers meek  
In token of that victory,  
did wear the honoured Leek,   

And Royal Kings likewise,  
from Heneryes loins did spring,  
With many noble Princes else,  
besides our Royal King,  
And Princes more of Wales▪  
that day were ne'er to seek,  
For on that day for David's sake,  
they always wore a Leek▪   

When Princes of the Blood,  
did celebrate the same,  
Whom foreign nations so admired,  
and praised with lasting fame,  
Who had such Lion's hearts,  
yet like to lambs were meek,  
That did in honour of that day,  
still wear the royal Leek.   

I call it Royal Leek,  
'Cause Princes it doth wear,  
Let no true hearted Welshman than,  
disdain the same to bear:  
But let them now as they,  
true honour always seek,  
And still remember David's day:  
in wearing of a Leek.    
FINIS.