Bold Dragoon- Bob Copper (Sus) 1955 Kennedy
[From: Bob Copper, BBC recording (BBC 21547) made by Peter Kennedy at the Central Club, Peacehaven, on February 2, 1955. The Bold Dragoon is a song from the repertoire of the Copper Family. Also in "Early to rise: a Sussex boyhood" p. 239 by Bob Copper, 1976.
R. Matteson 2018]
The Bold Dragoon- as sung by Bob Copper of Sussex, 1955
My father is a captain of very high renown
And if I marry a soldier 'twill pull his honour down.
It's your birth and my birth they never will agree
So take it as a warning, oh bold dragoon, said she.
No warning, no warning I never mean to take,
I'll either wed or die, my love, all for your sweet sake,
And when the lady heard these words it caused her heart to bleed
So to the church they both went and were married with speed.
But when they were married and returning home again,
The lady spied her father with seven armed men.
“I'm afraid,” said the lady, “we both shall be slain soon.”
“O, I fear nothing at all,” said the jolly, bold dragoon.
“There is no time to prittle, there is no time to prattle,
There are seven armed men just fitting for the battle,
For I will draw my broadsword and make their bones to rattle.”
The lady held the horse while the dragoon fought the battle.
“O, hold your hand, dear dragoon! Dear dragoon hold your hand,
And you shall have my daughter and ten thousand pounds in hand.
“Fight on,” says the lady, my portion is but small.”
“O, hold your hand, dear dragoon, and you shall have it all.”
So all you young ladies that have got gold in store
Never despise a soldier although he is so poor,
Although he is so poor he will fight for the crown—
Here's health to King George and his jolly bold dragoons.