Bold Soldier- (NY) pre1939 Thompson
[From Body, Boots and Britches, Thompson 1939 p.398. No date is given.
R. Matteson 2014]
The ballad does not tell how he manages to free her. He was probably a man of his hands, like the lover in Bold Soldier:
Bold Soldier- sung by Vivian Salisbury of Pulanski, learned from her father - from his father.
'Twas of a bold soldier who just returned from war;
He courted a fair damsel worth money in great store.
Her portion was so large that it scarcely could be told,
And yet she loved the soldier because he was so bold.
"Bold soldier, bold soldier, I'm afraid to marry thee:
My father is so cruel, he'll surely murder me."
He drew his sword and pistol, and hung them by his side,
And said he would be married, whatever might betide.
They went to the church, and returning home again
They met her honored father with several armed men.
"O dear, my dearest jewel!"-- "Your beau shall be slain,"
"Fear not," says the soldier, "feat not," --but all is vain.
Up stepped her honored father and unto her did say:
"O daughter, dear daughter, dear daughter, I pray
If this is your intention, to be young Calvin's wife,
Here in this dark valley I'll end your sweet life."
"Stop, stop !" says the soldier. "I've no time to battle,
But seeing that I'm just married, I'm fitted for a battle."
He drew his sword and pistol, he caused them for to rattle,
The lady held the horse while the soldier fought the battle.
The first man stepped up to him, he ran him through the main;[1]
The next one stepped up to him, he served him the same'
"Let's run," says the rest, for we all shall be slain;
To fight this bold soldier we find it all in vain."
"Bold soldier, bold soldier, what makes you fight so bold,
You shall have my daughter, ten thousand pounds in gold."
"O no," says the lady, "that portion is too small.
Fight on, my bold soldier, and you shall have it all."-
"Bold soldier, bold soldier, if you will spare my life,
You shall have my daughter for your beloved wife."
He took him home unto his house, he made him his heir;
It was not for love, but through cruelty unfair.
Now come, all you rich, fair maidens with money in great store.
Never shun a soldier, although they're sometimes poor,
For they are always jolly-happy, fresh, and free-
And how gallantly they fight for their rights and liberty!
1. through amain,