Homage are forced to do
To Cumberland!
This was evidently written before the death of George IV. in 1830; he was succeeded by William, the Clarence alluded to in the song. King William was suspected of having Liberal leanings, and an Orange plot existed to displace him and put his brother Ernest, Duke of Cumberland, on the throne, thus entirely excluding the Princess Victoria from the succession. This plot was exposed by Joseph Hume; but it never had any chance of success, for the Duke of Cumberland, profligate, brutal, and overbearing, was thoroughly hated by the English people. On the death of William IV. Cumberland became King of Hanover, and this country was finally relieved of his presence, and his plots. In the time of the Georges the following additional verse was sometimes sung:—
God save great George our King,
Long live our noble King,
God save the King.
Send us roast beef a store,
If it’s gone send us more,
And the key of the cellar door,
That we may drink.