Jolly Dragoon- Wren Houghton (Dev) 1892 Baring-Gould, version D
[From Sabine Baring-Gould Manuscript Collection (SBG/1/2/223); Baring-Gould Ms. Ref. PC 2. 106 (165).
R. Matteson 2018]
D. [Jolly Dragoon.] Taken down from an old man of 87 called Wren Houghton by Mr. Hanaford Worth.
1. ‘Twas of a jolly Dragoon as ever you did hear
He courted of a lady, & he lovéd her so dear.
O no! cries the lady, that never Sir can be,
For a Lord I am fitted of higher degree.
2. Now when the Dragoon heard those words that she spoke,
In his heart he’d a rather been tied to a yoke.
But he saddled his horse, & away he did ride,
Till he gainéd the lady to ride by his side.
3. This couple they got married, & returning home again,
She saw her father coming with seven arméd men.
‘O now,’ cried the lady, ‘there is no time to prattle,
For see those armed men are fitted for the battle.’
4. The dragoon cocked his pistol, while sword and carbine rattle
And the lady held the horse, while the dragoon fought the battle.
‘Hold your hand dear Dragoon, dear Dragoon hold your hand
And thou shalt have my daughter & pounds five thousand.
5. ‘Five thousand!’ cries the lady,’ that portion is but small,
‘O hold your hand my dear dragoon & thou shalt have it all.’
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6. Come all you brisk young ladies that have got gold in store,
Don’t never slight a bold dragoon, though he is sometime poor.
For they are men of honour, belonging to the crown
So here’s a health to the lady & her jolly dragoon.