Jolly Dragoon- Mrs. Hopkins (Hamp) 1907 Gardiner
[From George Gardiner Manuscript Collection (GG/1/16/1003),
R. Matteson 2018]
The Jolly Dragoon- sung by Mrs. Hopkins of Axford, Hampshire in October, 1907. Collected by G.B. Gardiner and Charles Gamblin.
"My father is a lord, and a lord of high renown,
And if I should wed a soldier, 'twould pull his honour down,
As for your part and my part, we shall never can agree,
So take it for a warning, bold dragoon," said she.
"No warning, no warning, no warning, will I take,
It's either wed or die, my love, all for your sweet sake."
Then hearing of those words, made the lady's heart to bleed,
And away they went to church and were married with speed.
As they had been to church and were coming back again
She spied her aged father and several armed men,
"I'm afraid," said the lady, "we shall both get slain."
"My fear none at all," said the jolly dragoon.
"March on, my dearest jewel here is not time to prattle,
Don't you see I am well armed, just fitting for the battle,"
So the dragoon drew his cutlass, which made the bones to rattle,
And the lady held his horse while the dragoon fought the battle.
"So hold your hand, bold dragoon, bold dragoon hold your hand,
And you shall have my daughter ten thousand pounds in hand,"
"Fight on," said the lady, "my fortune is too small"
"Hold thy hand, bold dragoon, and you shall have it all."
Come all noble ladies that have got gold in store,
And never despise a soldier although he's mean and poor,
Although he's mean and poor he will fight for his own,
Here's a health to King William and his jolly dragoon.