The Bold Dragoon- Mrs. Webb (Som) 1906 Hammond
[From: Henry Hammond Manuscript Collection (HAM/3/13/10).
R. Matteson 2018]
The Bold Dragoon- sung by Mrs. Webb of Bath, Somerset in Feb. 1906. Collected by Henry Hammond.
A soldier, a soldier, a valiant man was he,
He courted a lady of very high degree;
Her portion was so lofty, it scarcely could be told,
Although she loved her soldier because he was so bold.
"My father is a lord, a lord of high renown,
If I should wed a soldier, it would fetch his honour down,
If I should wed a soldier, it never can agree,
So take it for a warning, bold dragoon," said she.
"No warning, no warning, no warning will I take,
For I am a-dying for your beloved sake."
The lady overbearing, it made her heart to bleed,
To church this young couple went and were married with speed.
As they were returning home back again
She spied her father coming and seven armed men,
I fear," said the lady, "both of us shall be slain."
"Fear nothing at all, my love" the dragoon said again.
The dragoon drew his broadsword, which made their sheath to rattle,
And the lady held the horse while the dragoon fought the battle,
"Fight on, fight on," the lady cried, "thy portion is too small!"
"Hold thy hand, bold dragoon, and you shall have it all!"
Come all pretty maids that have got gold in store,
Don't you despise a soldier let him be rich or poor,
Although he is poor he will fight for his own,
Here's to Victoria our Queen and our valiant dragoon.