The Soldier; Mrs. B. B. Wimberly, 1916, who learned it in Louisiana
[From Louise Pound's American Ballads and Songs; 1920. Pound's notes follow. Tolman may have been influenced by Barry's 1910 JAFL article that includes "The Bold Soldier" under the Erlinton heading.
R. Matteson 2014]
27. The Soldier. Text from Mrs. B. B. Wimberly, 1916, who learned it in Louisiana. Compare Campbell and Sharp, The Lady and the Dragoon, p. 161. The same story is told in the last part of The Masterpiece of Love Songs in John Ashton's A Century of Ballads (1887), p. 164. Professor Tolman has pointed out that the story somewhat resembles that of Erlinton, Child, No. 8.
27. THE SOLDIER- Mrs. B. B. Wimberly, 1916, who learned it in Louisiana
I once knew a soldier just from the war,
He courted a lady for honor and for store;
The lady loved the soldier because he was so bold.
So great was her fortune it scarcely could be told.
"Now," said the lady, "I cannot be your wife,
For fear my wretched father would shortly end your life."
He drew a sword and pistol and hung them by his side
Saying, "We will get married and who will betide."
They went and got married and coming back again,
They met the wretched father with several armed men.
"Let's flee," said the lady, "for fear we will be killed."
"Hold on," said the soldier, "at fighting I am skilled."
Up stepped the old man, speaking very free,
Saying, "Do you intend to be a daughter unto me,
Or do you intend to be a soldier's wife?
Then in this lonesome valley I'll shortly end your life."
"Now," said the soldier, "I have no time to tattle,
I'm only one alone but I'm ready for the battle."
He drew his sword and pistol and caused them both to rattle,
The lady held the horses while the soldier fought the battle.
The first one he came to he run him through the brain,
The next one he came to he served him just the same.
"Hold on," said the old man, "Don't strike so bold,
And you can have my daughter and ten thousand pounds of gold."