The Bold Soldier- Frye (NC) 1945 Brown D
[From The Brown Collection; 1952, version D. Brown notes follow. A recording of this song is available online at Abrams Collection under the Earl Brand heading.
R. Matteson 2014]
86. The Soldier's Wooing
This old broadside ballad — it goes back at least to the seventeenth century — bears some resemblance in its central scene to 'Earl Brand' (Child 7) and to 'Erlinton' (Child 8) but is quite different in temper and has maintained an identity of its own through many generations. It is widely known and sung. See B.SI-I 103, and add to the references there given Virginia (FSV 66), North Carolina (FSRA 88-90), Tennessee (BTFLS 11 9-10), the Ozarks (OPS I 303-7), Ohio (BSO 14-17), Illinois (JAFL LXX 215-16), and Michigan (BSSM 380-1).
D. 'The Bold Soldier.' One of the songs collected by Professors W. A. Abrams and Cratis D. Williams in 1945 from the singing of Pat Frye of East Bend, Yadkin county. See headnote to 'Lady Isabel and the Elf-Knight' G. Pretty much the same as B and yet with sufficient variations to justify giving the text here. The spelling and pointing have been normalized, but the idiom is retained.
1 There was a young soldier, he lately came from war,
He courted a lady with fortune and rich store.
Her fortune was so great it scarcely could be told,
Although she loved a soldier because he was so bold.
2 'Bold soldier, bold soldier, I cannot be your wife;
My father is so cruel, I'm afraid he'd take your life.'
He drew his sword and pistol and he hung them by his side
And he swore he would get married, let what would provide.
3 They were going to the priest, and, returning home again,
They met her old father and seven armed men.
He drew his sword and pistol and he caused them to rattle.
And the ladies belt their horse while the soldier fought the battle.
4 The first one he came to he fought him in the main.
The next one he came to he served him just the same.
'Let's run,' says the rest, 'we find we shall be slain;
Till fighting with yon soldier we find it all in vain.'