Soldier Boy- Rosie Hensley (NC) 1916 Sharp B
[My title. From EFSSA, 1917, 1932 Sharp B, the same text (see sharp's MS) was sung by Mrs. Reuben Hensley. It seems Rosie and her mother (?) have been confused. Karpeles later adds the version is sung by Mrs. Rosie Hensley stanzas 1, 2 and 5 are from a different North Carolina version.
R. Matteson 2017]
No. 106 Sweet William, Sharp B.
B. [Soldier Boy.] Sung by Mrs. ROSIE HENSLEY at Carmen, N. C, Aug. 10, 1916. Sometimes sharpened. Hexatonic. Mode 4, b.
1. She run her boat against the main,
She spied three ships a sailing from Spain;
She halted each captain as he passed by,
O there she enquired of her sweet soldier boy.
2 O captain, O captain, tell me true,
Does my sweet soldier boy sail with you?
0 answer me quick and that will give me joy,
For I never loved none like my sweet soldier boy.
3 O lady, O lady, he's not here,
He got killed in the battle, my dear;
At the head of Rocky Isle, as we passed by,
There we saw your soldier boy lie.
4 She wrung her hands all in her hair
Just like a lady in despair;
She rowed her boat against a rock.
I thought in my soul the lady's heart was broke.