A Soldier- Stockton (TN) 1916 Sharp B
[My title. From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians; Sharp/Karpeles I, 1932. An additional verse that relates to the "Shore" branch of related ballad is included from Bronson from Sharp's MS.
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
B. [A Soldier] The Lady and the Dragoon- Sung by Mr. T. JEFF STOCKTON at Flag Pond, Tenn., Sept. 1916
Heptatonic. Mode 4, a + b (mixolydian)
1. Concerning of a soldier who has lately come from war,
He is courting of my daughter with great riches and a store.
daughter loved the soldier be cause he is poor;
Beyond all the gentlemen her soldier goes before.
2. She wrote him a letter, was quickly sent by hand,
No quicker than he got it, to me he returned.
O soldier, O soldier, this night I'd be your wife,
I knew that my old parents would freely take my life.