Folk and Traditional Song Lyrics:
Soldier Boy

Soldier Boy

Soldier Boy

As I roved out one evening in the springtime of the year
Through flowering fields and sweet latels my courses I did steer
There I see all the young soldiers and a pretty maid
Sat gazing on each other's company in the shade

I was struck all in amazement when I saw the damsel fair
Her jet black locks was hanging down all over her shoulder bare
Her fair fine face enticed me, which caused me to delay
I sat awhile in ambush to hear what they did say

The soldier broke the silence, these words to her did say
"Cheer up, my lovely Sally, and do not be dismayed
The regiments are gathering, in short I will away
For I hear the bugle sounding and that call I must obey

"O Sally, lovely Sally, you best mind what I do say
For Englishmen are always brave, wherever that they go
And a thousand more young Irish boys must join so well as me
And we must fight, conquer, or die, before the enemy

"Cheer up, my lovely Sally, and do not be dismayed
While on the plains of India we show what we can do
 ...
 ...

When this young couple had to part, down her cheeks the tears did roll
They did embrace each other, their hearts then filled with woe
"I hope kind fortune will favor you and vict'ries crown your joy
My earnest prayer for your welfare, my brave young soldier boy."

DT #814
Laws O31
From Greenleaf, Ballads and Songs of Newfoundland
Collected from John Henry Gueunuex, Barr's Harbour, 1928
SOF
oct96