The Bold Soldier- Coffy/MacRae (NC) 1917 Brown A
[From The Brown Collection; 1952, version A. Brown notes follow. In the third stanza, at the end of the 3rd line is "maid," which should be or originally was "amain" which according to the Random House Dictionary: the origin of this Archaic adverb is c. 1530–40, "a-main" meaning 1. with full force. or 2. at full speed.
R. Matteson 2014]
86. The Soldier's Wooing
This old broadside ballad — it goes back at least to the seventeenth century — bears some resemblance in its central scene to 'Earl Brand' (Child 7) and to 'Erlinton' (Child 8) but is quite different in temper and has maintained an identity of its own through many generations. It is widely known and sung. See B.SI-I 103, and add to the references there given Virginia (FSV 66), North Carolina (FSRA 88-90), Tennessee (BTFLS 11 9-10), the Ozarks (OPS I 303-7), Ohio (BSO 14-17), Illinois (JAFL LXX 215-16), and Michigan (BSSM 380-1).
A. [Bold Soldier] No title given. Obtained by Mrs. Donald MacRae from Betty Coffey of Avery County in November 1917.
1 There was a rich young lady of very high renown,
She had a large fortune of silver and gold.
Her fortune was so great it scarcely could be told,
And she loved a soldier because he was so bold.
2 'O soldier, O soldier, I'm feared to be your wife;
My father is so cruel, I'm feared he'll take your life.'
He drew his sword and pistol and hung them by his side
And swore that he'd get married, let what might betide.
3 He drew his sword and pistol and caused them to rattle;
The lady held his horse while the soldier fought the battle.
The first one he came to he pierced him through the maid.[1]
The next one he came to he served him just the same.
4 'Let's run,' said the rest, 'I fear that we'll be slain.
To fight a bold soldier is all in vain.'
'Oh stop, bold soldier,' the old man replied;
'You shall have my daughter to be your bride.'
5 'Fight on,' said the lady, 'your portion's yet too small,'
'Hold your hand,' said her father, 'and you shall have it all.
6 Now all ye rich ladies who have money in store,
Never slight a soldier, though sometimes they be poor.
The soldier's brave, jolly, brisk, and free,
And will fight for his wife and her liberty.
1. Other texts from the South show that this probably should be "main." The Missouri text has "brain." [It should be "amain," pieced him through amain.]