The Soldier- Richards (NH) 1942 Flanders A
[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.
A. 'The Soldier" Sung by Mrs. Belle Richards of Colebrook, New Hampshire. M. Olney, Collector; May 10, 1942; Structure: A (internal repetition) B C D (2,2,2,2); Rhythm divergent; Contour, generally descending; Scale: major; t.c. F. After the first stanza, the tonal center becomes E flat, the mode changing to Mixolydian.
The Soldier
I will tell yo' of a soldier who just returned. from war.
He courted a lady of honor, rich and fair
Her fortune was so great that it scarcely could be told.
But still she loved a soldier because he was so bold.
She said, "My dearest Johnny, I'd consent to be your wife
But my parents are so cruel that I fear they'll end my life."
He took his sword and pistol and hung it by his side
And swore that he would marry her whatever might betide.
So then they went to church and returning home again
They met her old father and seven armed men.
"Oh dear," cried the lady, "I fear we shall be slain."
"Fear not," said the soldier, "'tis altogether vain."
Then up speaks the old man and unto them did say,
" 'Tis this your behaviour? Is this your wedding day?
Since you have been so foolish as to be a soldier's wife
Down in this lonely valley, I will end your pleasant life."
"Stop! stop!" cried the soldier, "I do not like your prattle.
Although I am a bridegroom, I'm yet prepared for battle."
He took his sword and pistol and caused them to rattle,
And the lady held the horse while the soldier fought the battle.
The first one came to him, he run him to an end,[1]
The second one came to him, he served him the same;
"Let's run," cried the third one, "I fear we shall be slain,
To fight a valiant soldier is altogether vain."
Then up cried the old man, "You make my blood run cold,
And you shall have my daughter, five hundred pounds in gold."
"Fight on," said the lady, "the fortune is too small,"
"Stay your hand," cried the old man, "and you shall, have it all."
'The old man took him home and acknowledged him his heir.
'Twas not because he loved him, 'twas only dread and fear.
There never was a soldier 'twas fit to carry a gun
That e'er would flinch or start[2] an inch till the battle he had won.
You should never fight a soldier although he may be poor.
He's always brisk and daring all at the barrack door.
He's gentle, he is kind, he is sociable and free,
He'd sooner fight for his true love than for his own countree.
1. run him through amain,
2. Kennison sing, "flit an inch"