The Oxford Book of Ballads - online book

A Selection Of The Best English Lyric Ballads Chosen & Edited by Arthur Quiller-Couch

Home Main Menu Singing & Playing Order & Order Info Support Search Easter Hymns



Share page  Visit Us On FB

Previous Contents Next
MARY AMBREE
VI
' My soldiers,' she saith, ' soe valiant and bold, Nowe follow your captaine, whom you doe beholde; Still foremost in battel myself will I be ': Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree ?
VII
Then cry'd out her souldiers, and loude they did say, ' Soe well thou becomest this gallant array, Thy harte and thy weapons soe well do agree, There was none that was ever like Mary Ambree.'
VIII
She cheared her souldiers, that foughten for life, With ancyent and standard, with drum and with fyfe, With brave clanging trumpetts, that sounded so free ; Was not this a brave bonny lass, Marv Ambree ?
IX
' Before I will see the worst of you all To come into danger of death or of thrall, This hand and this life I will venture so free': Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree ?
x
She led up her souldiers in battaile array
Gainst three times theyr number by break of the daye;
Seven howers in skirmish continued shee:
Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree ?
XI
She filled the skyes with the smoke of her shott, And her enemyes bodyes with bullets soe hott; For one of her owne men a score killed shee : Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree ?
ancyent] ensign. 830
Previous Contents Next