Oliver Cromwell (song)
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"Oliver Cromwell" is a song recorded by
Member of Parliament (MP) for Huntingdon to his installation as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England. The lead vocals, often heavily multi-tracked, are performed by Cleese, with interjections by Eric Idle
.
"Oliver Cromwell" is sung to the first ("A") section of the Polonaise, including the well-known main theme; it does not use the "B" section. The piano introduction is accompanied by a spoken-word introduction, setting a tone of macabre humour ("The most interesting thing about
rubato
adding atmosphere; the only sound effect is implied to be that of Charles's head falling (followed by a solitary giggle from Cromwell).
Battles, events and personages
Introduction
- Charles I of England, 27 March 1625 (5'6") – 30 January 1649 (4'8")
First theme: January 1642 – May 1646
- MP for Huntingdon
- Ironside Cavalry, equipped and trained by Cromwell
- Marston Moor, 1644; Parliamentary victory
- New Model Army, founded by Cromwell
- Royalistarmies)
- Charles I puts himself into the hands of the Presbyterian army at Southwell
Connecting passage: 1647
- John Pym's Solemn League and Covenant; this (1643) agreement between Scottish Covenanters and English Parliamentarians respecting the Presbyterian church in Scotland and (ostensibly) committing England to Presbyterianism was influential in persuading the Scots to deliver Charles I to Parliament (in 1647)
Second theme: 1647 – 19 August 1648
- "handed ... over to Oliver Cromwell and his warts" refers to Cromwell's famous instruction to wartsand all"
- Second Civil War; the Independent leanings of the Army led to conflict with the Presbyterians in Parliament, a disagreement exploited by the Royalist faction
- Roundheads") over the combined Royalist ("Cavaliers") and Presbyterian armies
Connecting Passage: 6–20 December 1648
- House of Commons, resulting in a Rump Parliament
Interlude: 2–30 January 1649
- A tyranny
- Charles refused to accept that the court had jurisdiction over its King, but was nonetheless sentenced to death
- The sentence was carried out by decapitation, 30 January 1649, at the Banqueting House, Whitehall
Connecting Passage: 30 January 1649
- The headman failed to utter the customary words, "Behold the head of a traitor!"
Third theme: August 1649 – 16 December 1653
- Cromwellian conquest of Ireland
- Commonwealth of England
- Battle of Worcester; the defeat of the Scottish army of Charles II (proclaimed) ended the English Civil War and sank the Royalist cause
- First Anglo-Dutch War, 1653
- Dissolution of the Rump Parliament
- Instrument of Government, drafted by John Lambert, making Cromwell Lord Protector
