Bold Soldier- George Edwards (NY) c 1948 Cazden
[George Edward's version titled Bold Soldier was included in Cazden's 1955 article "The Bold Soldier of Yarrow" and it appears yet again with music in Folk songs of the Catskills by Norman Cazden, Herbert Haufrecht, Norman Studer.
Edward's version perhaps inspired Cazden's article, The Bold Soldier of Yarrow which appeared in The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 68, No. 268 (Apr. - Jun., 1955), pp. 201-209.
R. Matteson 2014, 2018]
BOLD SOLDIER- sung by George Edwards of New York, from Cazden c.1948, published 1955
There was a bold soldier that lately came from war;
He courted a rich lady, with honor in great store;
Her fortune was so large that it scarcely could be told;
Still she loved the soldier because he was so bold.
"Bold soldier, bold soldier, I fain would be your wife,
My father is so cruel, he'd take away my life!"
He drew his sword and pistols, hung 'em by his side,
He swore they would get married, whatever should betide.
They both rode off to church. Returning home again,
They met her cruel father with seven other men.
"Now," says the lady, "we shall both be slain."
"Fear nothing, fear nothing," the soldier cried amain.
Her father stepped up, and these words he did say,
"Is this your wedding season, dear daughter, I pray?
If this is your intendance to be a soldier's wife,
All in this lonesome valley I shall end your life!"
"Stop!" cried the soldier, "I've no time to prattle,
Although I am a naked man, I'm fitted for this battle."
He drew his sword and pistols and caused them to rattle,
And the lady hild the horse while the soldier fought the battle.
The first one he came to, he quickly had him slain;
The next one he came to, he served him the same.
"Oh, run," cried the rest, "or we will all be slain;
To fight a galliant soldier, we'll find it all in vain."
"Bold soldier, bold soldier, what makes you fight so bold?
You shall have my daughter and ten thousand pounds in gold."
"Oh, no," cried the lady, "that fortune is too small;
Fight on, my galliant soldier, and you shall win it all."
"Bold soldier, bold soldier, please spare to me my life;
You may have my daughter for your wedded wife."
He took them both home and he called them his heirs:
It was not for love, but it was pureli from fear.
Come, all you ladies who have money laid in store,
Never despise a soldier because he's sometimes poor.
A soldier is a gentleman, so jolly, brisk, and free;
Boldly he will fight for his rights and liberty.