The first appearance of Lillibulero in print was in a book entitled 'Lessons' for recorder or flute (1686) where it was styled as a 'Quickstep'. It became popular as a rallying song sung by supporters of William Ill in his campaign against James Il. It could possibly have been composed by Henry Purcell as it appears under his name in 'Musiks' Handmaid' where it is listed as 'A New Irish Tune'. Its origin is more likely to have been as a popular air and we will never really know who composed it
