(Version B)
Cecil Sharp's Collection of English Folk Songs, Vol 1, p 13, No 3, ed Maud Karpeles , Oxford University Press, 1974
Version B sung by William Nott at Meshaw, Devonshire, 8 Jan 1904
Come now all you good people, I pray now lend an ear.
'Tis of a jolly dragoon and soon ye shall hear.
He courted a lady, a lady rich and fair.
So how they got married O soon you shall har.
My father was a knight and an honour to the crown
And if I wed a soldier you'll pull his honour down.
And thy birth and my birth will never agree,
So take it as an answer, dear dragoon, says she.
An answer, an answer, an answer I won't take.
I'd rather lay my life down or of my love forsake.
In hearing of these words wishing the lady's heart to bleed
Together they went and was married with speed.
O when they were married and returning back again
She saw her father coming took by armed men.
O dear, replies the lady, I fear we shall be slain.
O fear not al all, says the valiant dragoon.
So now, dearest Polly, no time there is to prattle.
So see how they are armed and fix-ed for the battle.
He drawed his sword and pistol and the buckles they did rattle
The lady held the horse while the dragoon fought the battle.
Now all good people that have got rich in store,
Never distain an soldier because he is poor.
For he that is poor will fight for his own.
Here's a health to the King and the jolly dragoon.