Soldier Boy- Mrs. Dillingham (KY-AR) 1959 Parler D
[From Ozark Folk Song Collection; Reel 196, Item 9. Collected by Mary Celestia Parler. This is an unusual variant, there is only one other extant similar version.
Listen: http://digitalcollections.uark.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/OzarkFolkSong/id/1160/rec/16
R. Matteson 2017]
"The Soldier Boy." Sung by Mrs. Attie Dillingham of Fayetteville, Arkansas June 5, 1959 "My mother, Mrs. Jane Hart, sang it back in Kentucky."
A soldier's life is a dreary life,
It robs pretty maids of their heart's delight,
It causes them to weep and it causes them to mourn
For the loss of a soldier who never returns.
Dark was the color of my true lover's hair,
His face resembled the brightest star,
(She hums this line, which she has forgotten)
For I never loved any but my soldier boy.
It's been six months since he took my hand,
He took my hand as he told me goodbye;
He took my hand as he told me goodbye, Saying,
I'll fight for my country, live or die.
I went to the ball the other day,
The boys and girls all dancing gay,
But among them all, none could give me joy,
For I never loved any but my soldier boy.
I heard my father call my name,
Here is a letter for you, my Jane,
The very first words that met my eye,
Was, Your soldier is bound to die.
Down to the hospital I quickly fled,
Too late, too late, his spirit has fled,
His spirit has fled, and he is at rest,
He's sleeping on the Savior's breast.
There'll be no more trouble on Canaan's shore,
There will be peace forevermore,
And when God calls, I'll go with joy,
And I'll press to my heart my soldier boy.