The Bold Soldier- Young (ME) 1872 Barry B
[My title. From British Ballads from Maine, Barry Eckstrom and Smythe, 1929. It was Barry who in a 1909 JAFL article attached this ballad to Child 8, Erlinton. This is one of the earliest dates for collected versions in the US. Barry dates this back to the Revolutionary War but provides no evidence that it existed then.
R. Matteson 2014]
B. [The Bold Soldier] Written down from memory by Mrs. Susie Carr Young, of Brewer, who learned it about 1872 from her uncle, Mr. Fred Fowler of Hampden, melody recorded by Mr. George Herzog.
1. I will tell you of a soldier who lately came from war;
He courted a lady, all honor due, by far,
Her fortune was so great that it scarcely could be told,
And the lady love the soldier because he was so bold.
2. As they were a-riding unto the church, 'twas then
And there they met the old man with seven arm-ed men,
"O Dearest," cried the lady, "I fear we shall be slain!"
"Fear nothing, my charmer!" the soldier said again.
3. Then up spake the old man and unto her did -say:
"Is this your good behavior to me this very day?
Since you have been so foolish to be a soldier's wife,
Down in this lonesome valley, I'll quickly take your life."
4. Then upspake the soldier, saying: "I do not like your prattle;
Although I am a bridegroom, I'm all prepared for battle."
He took his sword and pistols and caused them to rattle.
The lady held the horses while the soldier fought the battle.
5. The first man he came to, he quickly had him slain,
- The next man he came to, he us-ed him the same.
"O stay your hand!" the old man cried, "you make my blood run cold,
And you shall have my daughter with five hundred pounds in gold."
6. "Fight on! Fight on!" the lady cried, "my portion is too low
"Stay, stay your hand," the old man cried, "and you shall have it all!"
The soldiers are the lads that are jolly, brisk and free:
They will fight for their girls and their rights and liberty.