Seventeen Come Sunday- (Lon) c.1840 J. Paul broadside
[From J. Paul and Co., Printers, 2 & 3, Monmouth Court, Seven Dials, 1838-1845). This 4th form (a revision of Maid and Soldier) was crafted by a broadside writer around 1840 and widely reprinted. This is the standard form with the "Seventeen Come Sunday" title and a "happy" ending. There are two broadside endings, the other is a variation of the last line ("And a merry man in the morning" ) and is commonly found in tradition.
R. Matteson 2018]
SEVENTEEN COME SUNDAY. (standard broadside text)
As I walked out one May morning,
One May morning so early'
I overtook a handsome maid,
Just as the sun was rising,
With my ru, rum, ra.
Her stockings white, her shoes were bright,
Her buckles shined like silver,
She had a black and a rolling eye,
And her hair hung over her shoulder.
Where are you going my pretty maid,
Where are you going my honey?
She answered me right cheerfully,
An errand for my mammy.
How old are you my pretty maid,
How old are you my honey,
She answered me right modestly,
I'm seventeen come Sunday.
Will you take a man my pretty maid,
Will you take a man my honey?
She answered me right cheerfully,
I dare not for my mammy.
If you will come to my mammy's house,
When the moon shines bright and clearly,
I'll come down and let you in,
My mammy shall not hear you.
I went down to her mammy's house,
When the moon so bright was shining,
She came down and let me in,
And I lay in her arms till morning.
Soldier will you marry me?
For now is your time or never,
For if you do not marry me,
I am undone for ever.
Now I am with my soldier lad,
Where the wars they are alarming,
A drum and fife are my delight,
And a pint of rum in the morning.