The Bold Soldier- Burl Ives, who learned it from a blind street singer. Dated: 1939-1945 released 1967
[From Burl Ives, not date or place named. Ives learned some of his folk songs in Illinois during his childhood. The following info is from Folkways: Asch Recordings Vol. 2- 1939-1945.
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
BURL IVES, voice and guitar The Bold Soldier (Alt. master, A -345)
An 18th century text of this ballad, printed at The Angel in Duck's Lane, London, set the scene with admirable brevity:
"He woo'd his Lord's Daughter and carried the day,
But soon after marriage was forced for to fight . . . "
Ancestrally, the song relates to Douglas Tragedy or Earl Brand (Child No.7) but Burl learned it from a blind street singer. "Burl 'pure delights' in singing ballads, " Alan wrote (booklet) and that is how many of us heard him before his well-deserved fame and those fifty-cent cigars, sitting on the floor with that guitar working hard, bringing a true American country sound to a big city apartment.
THE BOLD SOLDIER- Burl Ives, who learned it from a blind street singer. Recorded 1939-1945, released 1967
1. Soldier, oh soldier, a-coming from the plain
He courted a lady for honor and for fame
Her beauty shone so bright that it never could be told
She always loved the soldier because he was so bold.
CHORUS: Fa la la la, fa la la la
Fa la la la, fa la la la
2. "Soldier, oh soldier, it's I would be your bride,
But I fear of my father some danger might betide."
Then he pulled out sword and pistol and hung them by his side
Swore he would be married, no matter what betide.
3. Then he took her to the parson, and, of course, home again
There they met her father and seven arm-ed men.
"Let us fly," said the lady,"I fear we shall be slain
"Take my hand," said the soldier, "and never fear again."
4. Then he pulled out sword and pistol, and caus-ed them to rattle,
The lady held the horse while the soldier fought in battle.
"Hold your hand," said the old man, "Do not be so bold,
You shall have my daughter and a thousand pounds of gold."
5. "Fight on!" said the lady,"The portion is too small!"
"Hold your hand," said the old man, "and you shall have it all."
Then he took them right straight home and he called them son and dear
Not because he loved them, but only through fear.