Sing along to The Chaotic Civil War song

Calling all Roundheads and Cavaliers! Wanna know what went down in the English Civil War... and what became of Oliver Cromwell? Click below to find out.

This Civil War song has got it all: a bossy Lord Protector (Oliver Cromwell), an ambitious son in waiting (Richard Cromwell), and a King in exile (Charles II) just waiting for his comeback. It's a tune! Watch the full Barmy Battles special episode here.

Oliver Cromwell was a real rebel. Born in 1599 and raised a strict Protestant (called a Puritan), he went on to make some mahoosive changes to how the country was run. He even BANNED Christmas - what a total scrooge. With his army of Roundheads, Oliver got rid of the King and called himself the fancy name of Lord Protector.... Big Head more like! It didn’t end well for Olli though. He died of a snotty disease called pneumonia in 1658, and his son Richard took over. But not for long as party animal Charles II came back from exile and took charge of the country again. And to make sure no-one rebelled again, Olli’s body was taken out of the ground and put on a spike for all to see! 

Civil War.

Huh!

What was it good for?

Monarchy abolished.

Civil War.

Huh!

What was it good for?

Royalty demolished.

Once we’d won and Charles lost his head,

we became a Commonwealth instead.

My new Model army fought for the cause.

I crushed rebellion and reformed laws.

Dissolved Parliament, became Lord Protector,

like a King but without the crown and sceptre.

Protectorate was now what we were called,

with a jolly little motto,

Peace Through War.

Civil War.

Huh!

What was it good for?

Monarchy disbanded.

Civil War.

Huh!

What was it good for?

My power expanded.

Cut England and Wales into 12 little bits,

It didn't work out.

Had to call that quits.

Thought making me king would be the solution,

but I stayed Lord Protector with a new constitution.

Didn't last long.

Death was my fate.

So son and heir stepping up to the plate.

It was a tough act

to follow, the Great Dictator.

The army forced me out a year later.

Civil War.

Huh!

What was it good for?

Monarchy diminished.

Civil War.

Huh!

What was it good for?

I thought we were finished.

But all the while I'd been in exile,

banished from my home nation.

Then I got the call.

They'd had enough of war.

And so began The Restoration.

I pardon crimes from Civil War times

I’m back what’s not to like?

Well, they dug me up, cut me up,

and put my head on a spike!

Civil War.

Huh!

Who was it good for?

Don't get me started.

Civil War.

Huh!

Who was it good for?

Right, now where’s the party?

 Find the best Horrible Historiesgames and quizzes, only on the CBBC website:

🎥 iPLAYER: Watch Horrible Histories on CBBC and BBC iPlayer