The Soldier- Ashby (MO) c1898 Belden
[From Ballads and Songs, Missouri Folk Song Society, 1940 Edited Belden, his notes follow. Belden states the deference of Barry, Brewster, and others for this being classified Child 8.
R. Matteson 2014]
The Soldier's Wooing
The likeness of the story here told to that of Erlinton, Child No. 8, has been noted by previous collectors. In its present form it goes back at least to the seventeenth century, when was 'Printed for A. M. W. O. and Tho. Thackeray at the Angel in Duck Lane' the broadside ballad 'The Master-piece of Love-songs' (see Roxb. Ballad's VI 229-31). Two marks appear here that persist in nineteenth century stall prints, Such's for example, and in pretty nearly all texts derived from oral tradition. They must have made the success of the piece, for they are repeated. in a sailor version, .'The Seaman's Renown in Winning his
Fair Lady,'also printed for Thackeray about the same time (Roxb. Ballads VII 559-61). These marks are the rimes prattle-rattle-battle and the bride's adjuring her warrior lover (only a game-keeper in the seventeenth century ballad) not to stop fighting till her father has promised all his wealth as her dower.
Texts have been recorded from oral tradition in Sussex (JFSS I 108), Berkshire (FSUT 115-6), Nova Scotia (SBNS 25-6), New Brunswick (BBM 881), Maine (BBM 377-9), Vermont (GGMS 60-2, VFSB 232-g), Massachusetts (?) (BBM 380-1), New Jersey (JAFIT XXIII 447-9), Virginia (SharpK T gbs-I, SCSM 201-3), west virginia (FSS 375-6), Kentucky (SharpK I BB4), Tennessee (SharpK I334), North Carolina (SharpK I333,382, BTFITS II 1), Georgia (JAFL XLV 114-6, FSSH 185-7), and Louisiana (ABS 68-9). Tolman notes, JAFL XXIX 188, that he has a text from Canada, and, JAFL: XXXV 414, gives two tunes from Ohio, but does not print a text.
'The Soldier.' From the manuscript ballad-book of James Ashby of Holt County, compiled in the latter part of the last century and secured by Miss Welby in 1906. The pointing is mine, and I have bracketed a few places that were scarcely legible.
Oh, my handsome [soldier], just lately from the war,
He courted a fair damsel with riches and great store;
Her riches was so great that they scarcely could be told,
She said she loved a soldier because he was so bold.
'Oh, my handsome soldier, how vain[1] I'd be your wife!
But my cruel parents would surely take my life.'
He drew his sword and pistol and hung them by his side
And swore he'd get married let what would be tried.[2]
They jumped on their horses and away they did ride.
They rode and they rode till they came to the lane,
And there she met her father and seven armed. men.
'Oh, flee!' said the lady, 'I fear we shall be slain.'
'Fear nothing,' said the soldier, the soldier again,
'There's no time for to talk nor no time for to prattle.'
The lady held the horses while the soldier fought the battle.
The first one he came to he run him to the man,
The next one he came to he pierced him through the brain,
'Flee!' said the rest, 'I fear we shall be slain,
To fight a valiant soldier we find it's all in vain,
Hold your hand, you valiant soldier, and don't you be so [bold]
And you shall have my daughter and seven pounds of gold.'
'Fight on, ye valiant soldier, your portion is too small;
Fight on, you valiant soldier, and you [will get it all].'
'Come, stop,' says the old man, 'and do but spare my life,
And you shall have my daughter all for your wedded wife.'
They jumped on their horses and home they did ride.
A fine wedding dinner her father did provide;
He called him his son and marle him his heir,
It wasn't out of good will but truly out of fear.
Come alt ye young ladies, a warning take by me
And. never slight a soldier because he's sometimes poor.
If he is truly handsome he's jolly, brave, and free,
And will fight for his wife and [is soon in liberty].
1. Read, no doubt, 'fain.'
2. Probably should read 'let what would betide.'