The Bugle Britches- Niles (KY) c.1915 Niles A
[Collected by John Jacob Niles (b. 1892) from his father, John Thomas Niles (1869-1922). I've guestimated the date as learned 1880s; John Jacob Niles collected it from his father c. 1915, that information comes from I Wonder as I Wander: The Life of John Jacob Niles by Ron Pen, who says the date is 1915-1917.]
THE BUGLE BRITCHES- John Thomas Niles; Louisville, KY
Oh, she took him by the bridle rein,
And she led him to the stable.
“Here’s fodder and hay for your horse, young man,
And me to bed if you’re able.”
She took him by the lily-white hand,
She led him to the table.
“Here’s drink and meat for us to eat,
And me to bed if you’re able.”
She’s up the stairs, her skirts a-flounce,
To make the soldier’s bed.
“Come up, come up, my bonny boy,
I ween you have been fed.”
She’s pulled off her lily-white gown,
She laid it on a table.
“Come bed me quick, my bonny boy,
I’m sure that you are able.”
Oh it’s meat and drink for bonny boys
And then to bed with lasses,
It’s oats and hay and fodder, too,
For horses and for asses.
They had not been a-bed a-long,
It was not hours three,
When he did hear the bugle
A-blasting merrily.
“Don’t leave, don’t leave, my bonny boy,
The task is not half done.
A soldier ne’er should sheathe his sword
Until the battle’s won.”
“I’ll have to sheathe my dagger,
My codpiece is withdrawn.
I’ll don my bugle britches,
I hear the merry horn.”
“Oh when shall we e’er meet again,
And when shall we be wed?
For surely I am all but ruined,
And truly would be dead.”
“When mussel shells turn silver bells,
Then we will up and marry.
But now I’m bound to London town,
Nor can I ever tarry.”