The Bold Soldier- Dean (VT) 1878 Flanders D
[From Flanders, Ancient Ballads, 1966; Coffin introduction notes follow.
R. Matteson 2014]
The Bold Soldier
(Laws M27, possibly related to Child 7 and Child 8)
"Erlinton," Child 8, is not known in America. However there is a song called "The Bold Soldier," "The Soldier's Wooing," "The Valiant soldier," and so forth, that may in one way or another be related to the tradition of Child 7, "Earl Brand," and "Erlinton." As the ending of this urban piece is sentimental and happy, it seems to have greater affinity to "Erlinton" than to Earl Brand," though Child, I, 88, 106, notes that the traditions of his 7 and 8 may well be one see also the definitive study of the song by David M. Greene in JAF, LXX, 22. Greene sees only the remotest connection, and that through print, between the Child songs and "The Bold Soldier."
"The Bold Soldier," as it is known in the New World, probably dates from after the time of the American Revolution. There is a broadside printed by Nathaniel Coverly of Boston, now to be found as No. 22 of the Isaiah Thomas Collection of Ballads in the American Antiquarian Society's library at Worcester, Massachusetts, which, with others like it, is the source for the American tradition of the song. This broadside, according to Greene, was based on an earlier British printer's version. Greene gives an extensive bibliography of "The Bold soldier" and songs, such as "The Seaman's Renown" and "The Masterpiece of Love songs," that are associated with its history. The story, almost always in the same general form, has been popular with the Anglo-
American press since at least the late 1600's.
The story in "The Bold Soldier" tells of a handsome fellow who elopes with a rich girl. Her father and seven men pursue them. During the scuffle which occurs, the lover fights so bravely he is about to kill all his opponents. At this point, the father decides to agree to the marriage and offers the couple a large sum of money. The girl, rather crassly, refuses to let her champion stop fighting until the father pledges them all his wealth. She reasons she will get the entire estate anyway if her father is slain. The father, thus, has little choice but to give in to her, and he takes the couple home to "happiness ever after," although fear and not love motivates him. A bibliography for Child 7, "Earl Brand," has been given in connection with texts of that song printed above. beyond the exhaustive references by Greene, see Laws, ABBB, 193-94; Coffin, 37-38; Belden, 103; and Phillips Barry, British Ballads from Maine, 377-82, for discussion and bibliography concerning "The Bold Soldier."
The five tunes given here are closely related, thus the information on related tunes is given here instead of in the notes for the individual tunes. They are part of group A in BC1. For melodic relationship see Sharpk, 334(C), 335 (D and E), and 337(G and H); Louis E. Chappell, Folk-Songs of Roanoke and the Albemarle, 88; and L.C. record 1735 B (Indiana). Note that the Richards version is slightly outside the group, and that its line 1 is similar to lines 2 and 3 of the others.
D. "Bold Soldier." Sung by warren Dean of 206 S. Main Street, Rutland, Vermont. Transcribed, by Mrs. George Cobb, L88 Graue Street, in Rutland, October 5, 1952; on May 26, 1953, when visited by H. H. F., he was too feeble to record the song. Mr. Dean is a brother of Altie Dean Sanders of Mt. Holly, Vermont (born I864), who also has contributed ballads to the collection. Brother and, sister learned, these songs (1953) from their father some 75 years H. H. F., Collector, October 7, 1952.
The Bold Soldier
I will tell you of a soldier who lately came from war
Who courted a lady of honor, rich and fair.
Her fortune was so great that it scarcely could be told
But yet she loved the soldier because he was so bold.
She said, "My dearest jewel, I faint to be your wife;
My father is so cruel I fear he will end my life."
He snatched his sword and pistol and hung them by his side
And' swore that he would marry her let what might betide.
As they had been to church and returning home again
The old man he met them with several armed. men.
"Oh dear," said the lady, "I fear we will be slain."
"Fear nothing, my dear charmer," the soldier said again.
The old man to his daughter in frown he did say,
"Is this your behavior; is this your wedding day?
since you have been so silly as to be a soldier's wife
Here in this lovely valley I will end your pleasant life."
Then up stepped the soldier, "I do not like your prattle,
Although I am a bridegroom and not prepared for battle."
He snatched his sword and pistol and caused them to rattle;
The lady held 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 run him to[1] amain.
"Let us flee," cried the rest, "or we will be slain."
"Fear nothing, my dear charmer," the soldier said again.
"Fight on," said the lady, "my portion is too small,"
"Stay, stay, you handy soldier, and you shall have it all."
The old man took him home and acknowledged him an heir;
It was not because he loved him, it was for dread and fear.
There never was a soldier that was fit to carry a gun
That would. flinch or start an inch until battle he had won.
Deprive not the soldier because he is poor;
He is as happy in the field as at the backers' door;
He is bold, brisk and aria[2], sociable and free;
He is willing to fight for love or liberty.
1. through amain.
2. airy