Folk and Traditional Song Lyrics:
Plains of Waterloo(5)

Plains of Waterloo (5)

Plains of Waterloo (5)

 One fine summer's morning as I went a-walking
 All down by the banks of some clear-flowing stream
 There I spied a fair maiden making sad lamentation
 And I drew myself in ambush for to hear her sad complaint
 Through the woods she marched along, made the valleys to ring oh
 While the small feathered songsters around her head they flew
 Saying, The war it is all over and peace is returning
 But my Willie's not returning from the plains of Waterloo

 I approached this young maiden and I said, My fond creature
 May I make enquiry as to what's your true love's name
 For I have been in battle where the loud cannons rattle
 And by his description well I think I know the same
 Willie Reilly's my love's name, he's a hero of great fame
 Although he's gone and left me in sorrow now 'tis true
 And no man will me enjoy but my own darling boy
 Although he's not returning from the plains of Waterloo

 If Willie Reilly's your love's name then he's a hero of great fame
 He and I have been in battle through many a long campaign
 Through Italy and Russia, through Germany and Prussia
 He was my loyal comrade in France and in Spain
 But alas there at length by the French we were surrounded
 And like heroes of old we did them subdue
 We fought for three days till at last we defeated him
 That bold Napoleon Boney on the plains of Waterloo

 On the fourteenth of June it be an end in the battle
 Leaving many a gallant hero in sorrow to complain
 Where the drums they do beat and the loud cannons rattle
 'Twas by a Frenchman's bullet your young Willie he was slain
 And as I drew near to the spot where he lay bleeding
 Scarcely had I time for to bid him adieu
 And as he lay dying these words he kept repeating
 Farewell my lovely Annie you are far from Waterloo

 When this maiden she heard all this sad declaration
 Her red rosy cheeks they grew pale and woeful wan
 And when he heard the sound of her sad lamentations
 He drew her in his arms and said, I am your loving one
 Oh see here is the ring that between us was broken
 In the midst of all danger it reminded me of you
 And now this young couple well they are reunited
 No more will Willie battle on the plains of Waterloo

DT #459
Laws N32
SKW
apr00