The Bold Soldier- Moses (NH) 1939 Flanders G
[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.
G. Bold Soldier. Sung by Jonathon Moses of Orford, New Hampshire, as learned from his father. H. H. F. and Alan Lomax, Collectors November 6, 1939; Structure: A1 A2 B C2 (4,4,4,4); Rhythm B; Contour: arc; Scale: major t.c. G.
The Bold Soldier
'll tell you of a soldier who late-lie came from war,
Who courted a lad.y with honor, rich and fair.
Her fortune was so great-lie it scarce-lie could be told
But yet she loved the soldier because he was so bold.
She says, "My dearest jewel, I fain would be your wife.
My old dad is so cruel I fear he'd end my life."
He snatched his swords and pistols and hung them by his side.
He swore that he would marry her whatever might be tried.
As they had been to church and returning home again,
She saw her old daddy with several arm-ed men.
"Oh dear," cries the lady, "I fear we shall be slain."
"Fear nothing, my charmer," the soldier said again.
Then up speaks the old man, with a big frown did say,
"Is this your behaviour? Is this your marriage day?
Oh, but since you've been so silly as to be a soldier's wife
Down in this lonesome valley I'll end your pleasant life."
Then up speaks the soldier: "I do not like your prattle,
Although I am the bride's groom and unprepared for battle."
He snatched his swords and pistols and caused them for to rattle;
The lady held the horse whilst the soldier fought the battle.
The first man he came to, he quick-lie had him slain.
The next man he came to, he serv-ed him the same.
"Oh, flee," cries the rest, "or I fear we shall be slain.
To fight this galliant soldier is altogether in vain."
"Oh, stay your hand," the old man cried; "you make my blood run cold.
I'll give you with my daughter five thousand pounds in gold."
"Fight or," cries the lady, "my portion is quite small,"
"Oh, stay your hand, dear soldier, and you shall have it all."
He took the soldier home and he acknowledged him in his prayers.
It wasn't because he lov-ed him; it was for dread and fear,
For there never was a soldier 'twas fit to carry a gun
could either flinch nor give an inch till the battle he had won.
Despise not a soldier because that he is poor,
For he's as happy in the field as at the barrack door.
He's bold, brisk and airy; he's sociable and free,
As willing to fight for love as for his liberty.