Bold Dragoon- Joseph Tauton (Dor) 1907 Hammond
[From Henry Hammond Manuscript Collection (HAM/5/34/7),
R. Matteson 2018]
The Bold Dragoon- sung by Joseph Tauton of Carscombe, Dorset in August 1907. Collected by Henry Hammond.
It's of a valiant dragoon as ever you did hear,
He courted a lady, her beauty was fair;
He courted a lady, her beauty was fair,
And soon was her ruin as you shall declare.
As this young couple was going home again
She saw her father coming with seven armed men,
"So now I'm afraid that my will be slain.
"Oh fear not at all," said the dragoon again."
"Sop now then step forward, there is no time to prattle,
For you see they're all armed and fixed for the battle,
I'll draw his sword a pistol, which made their bones to rattle,
While the lady held the horse and the dragoon fought the battle.
"Oh dragoon, dear dragoon, if you'll just hold your hand,
I'll give you my daughter, ten thousand pounds in hand,
"Strike on," said the lady, "that fortune is too small,"
"Then, hold your hand, dear dragoon, and you shall have it all."
They mounted to horseback and away they did ride,
There rode the dragoon and his fair bride,
They fear no danger whatever betide,
Now he's got a lady to ride by his side.