Henry's Songbook

• (Trad)

  Come all ye lads of high renown
  That would hear of a fair young maiden
  She's gone out on a fine summer's day
  Just to watch all the soldiers paradin'
  They looked so fine and they looked so gay
  The colours were flying and the bands did play
  And Mary to herself did say
  I will wed with my gallant soldier

  She watched them standing on parade
  And she watched them at their leisure
  And Mary to herself did say
  At last I've found my treasure
  But oh, how cruel my parents can be
  Just to banish my true love so far from me
  I'll leave them all and I'll go with thee
  My bold undaunted soldier

  Ah, Mary dear, your parents' love
  I pray don't be unruly
  For when we're in some foreign land
  I know you'll rue it surely
  And if in battle I should fall
  From a shot from an angry cannon ball
  And you so far from your daddy's hall
  Be advised by your gallant soldier

  I've fifty guineas in bright gold
  Likewise a heart that's bolder
  And I'll 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
  Mary and her gallant soldier

  And when he saw her loyalty
  And Mary so true-hearted
  He said, My darling, married we'll be
  And never shall be parted
  And when we're in some foreign land
  I'll guard ye, darling, with my right hand
  In the hopes that god might stand a friend
  To Mary and her gallant soldier

  (as sung by Tom McDonagh)

Susannes Folksong-Notizen

• [1976:] It's the old story of the soldier heading for the wars and leaving the girl behind him. In some ballads she dressed herself up in men's clothing and went along with him. Numerous too are the songs about female sailors and female soldiers. More often than not, she went along as the pretty drummer boy or the pretty cabin boy. In this particular song, he is so impressed by her loyalty that he marries her before he goes away. Sam Henry collected this song in Magilligan, Co. Derry, and it appears in his collection under the title of The Gallant Soldier. (Frank Harte, notes 'Andy Irvine & Paul Brady')

• [1993:] The story (girl meets soldier, wants to go with him, soldier wants to leave her behind - till he discovers she's got a bob or two ...) is found in both Scotland and Ireland. The Scottish version's miserable, the Irish one's happy; draw your own conclusions. (Notes Brian McNeill, 'Horses For Courses')