The Dragoon & the Lady- Charles Ash, Somerset 1907
Source: Cecil Sharp's Collection of English Folk Songs, Vol 1, p 13, No 3, ed Maud Karpeles , Oxford University Press, 1974
Version C sung by Charles Ash (63) at Crowcombe, Somerset, 9 September 1908
My father he's a lord and a lord of high renown.
If I should wed a soldier it shall pull his honour down.
It's your birth and my birth it never will agree
So take it as a warning, bold dragoon, cried she.
A warning, a warning I never intend to take.
I'd rather die than leave you it's all for your sweet sake.
And then he pressed her hand which made to heart to bleed.
To church let us go and get married with speed.
As they were returning from church back again
She met her aged father and seven more arm-ed men
O now, says the lady, we both shall be slain
O feat not at all, says the jolly light dragoon.
With my braodside and cutlash I'll make they bones to rattle
And the lady held the horse while the dragoon fought the battle.
Hold up, my bold dragoon, there is no time to prattle
For don't you see those arm-ed men all fitted for the battle
Hold up, my bold dragoon, my portion is but small;
Hold up, my boldest fellow, and you shall have it all.
Hold up, you bold dragoon, and boldly stand your ground
And you shall have my daughter and thirty thousand pound.
And you young ladies who got bright gold in store
Never distain a soldier for that he is poor.
Although he is poor he will fight for his own.
Here's a health to King Edward and the jolly light dragoon.