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92 JAMES ERVIN
Sung in August, 1935, by Mr. E W Harns, Greenville, who learned the song in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, some time before the Civil War.
1 I am a bold Republican, James Ervin is my name; I enlisted in the train,
And for to exercise on Sunday did not with me agree, And that's the time, my brave boys, I took my liberty.
2 I had an only sweetheart, Jane Wilson was her name. She said if Fd desert all for to let her know;
She'd dress me in her own clothes that I might go to and fro. The weather being dark and rainy, which well favored me, And that's the time, my brave boys, I took my liberty.
3 I traveled all that night and part of the next day; I came to Telaport and lay down on some hay. I had not laid there long before I rose again;
I spied five of the train.
4 We had a bloody combat; at length I beat them all; Those bloody rascals for quarters they did call, "Spare my lie, bold Ervin, we will pray by thee And swear by all that you fought for your liberty."
5 I went on down to sweet Galley
And worked at my shoemaking trade a half a year,
But carelicks, farelicks, drawing near,
It's ten to one, my brave boys, if I keep my liberty.
6 They lodged me in the guardhouse, my case for to deplore; I leaped out at the window and knocked two of them down; The light horse and the guardsmen, they quickly followed me, But I was received by a friend, and so I kept my liberty.
7 I can whip any kingsman or Orangeman that does before me go; I can make them fly before me like an arrow from a bow. |
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