Description

Come all you lads of high renown
That would hear of a fair young maiden
And she roved out on a summer’s day
For to view the soldiers parading
They marched so bold and they looked so gay
Their colours flying and the bands did play
And it caused young Mary for to say
“I’ll wed you me my gallant soldier”

She viewed the soldiers on parade
And as they stood at their leisure
And Mary to herself did say:
“At last I’ve found my treasure
But oh how cruel my parents must be
To banish my true love away from me
Well I’ll leave them all and I’ll go with thee
My bold undaunted soldier”

“Oh Mary dear, your parents’ love
I pray don’t be unruly
For when you’re in a foreign land,
Believe me you’ll rue it surely
Perhaps in battle I might fall
From a shot from an angry cannonball
And you so far from your daddy’s hall
Be advised by a gallant soldier.”

“Oh I have fifty guineas in bright gold,
Likewise a heart that’s bolder
And I’d leave them all and I’ll go with you
My bold undaunted soldier
So don’t say no but let me go
And I will face the daring foe
And we’ll march together to and fro
And I’ll wed you, my gallant soldier”

And when he saw her loyalty
And Mary so true-hearted
He said: “My darling, married we’ll be
And nothing but death will part us
And when we’re in a foreign land
I’ll guard you, darling, with my right hand
In hopes that God might stand a friend
To Mary and her gallant soldier”