James Nayler is an Early Quaker that will live in infamy. While very influential as a minister and founder of the Quaker movement, Nayler is most known for riding into Bristol in a re-enactment of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, with his followers singing “haligh haligh”. James was arrested and tried by Parliament for high blasphemy, then whipped through the streets of London and had a hole bored in his tongue and a “B” branded on his forehead.

Jon Watts learned about James Nayler as he was working on his senior project for the Quaker Leadership Scholars Program at Guilford College (“A Few Songs Occasioned“) and was moved to song.

James Nayler is the famous Quaker who entered Bristol in a reenactment of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem

James Nayler hadn’t slept for days. He had a letter in his pocket
from George and Margaret Fell. They prayed that he would read in time to stop it.
They eldered him. He would respect them and not Martha Simmons.

It started when James went to London. He had so much success there.
He preached and worked, converting hundreds. No one questioned his welfare.
Then ranters came, interrupting meetings. They said they preferred James’ preaching
to Burrough and Howgill and even George Fox.
Their leader was Martha. James, ask her to stop. They came to the Bull and Mouth Sunday with rocks.
They want to split Quakers with you at the top. Oh god don’t listen to Martha and her flock.

James stopped eating then. He made a decision from an Exeter prison. He would wait for George’s visit.

George came in from the street and James stood three feet below. They spoke in front of people and then George Fox had to go.
And James said –George, let me hug you.-
George said –I’m not bowing down.-
and James said –well, let me kiss you.-
George offered his foot. It was a falling out.

James decided to go on his own
and George went preaching and keeping the meetings afraid of James.

When James came into Bristol he rode upon a horse. The women sang as they went –oh Lord.-
James Nayler hadn’t slept for days, a letter in his pocket from George and Margaret Fell. They prayed, but prayers could not have stopped him.
No Quakers came to see that day James Nayler’s reenactment but Parliament heard otherwise and said that James had blasphemed.
They indicted him, his punishment: three hundred and ten lashes, a red hot iron through James’ tongue and branded B and laughed at.
“God gave me a body and spirit to endure this.”

They tied up his hands. He could barely stand.
Oh james, you’ve gone too far now. Oh james, you’ve fallen down.
You’ve brought our movement with you. You’ve brought the Quakers down.