The Soldier; Phillips Barry; Version A , Folk-Songs of the North Atlantic States (1908), as derived from L. A., Camden, N. J., by MS. of I. L. M., Vineland, N.
[The following was reprinted from the 1910 JOAFL. Barry considers this to be classified under Child 8: Erlinton. His position was reiterated in British Ballads from Maine in 1929. This argument convinced Brewster to list an Indiana version of "Bold Soldier" under Erlinton also. Bronson listed them under Earl Brand which is the conventional association today.
R. Matteson 2014]
A Garland of Ballads
by Phillips Barry
The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 23, No. 90 (Oct. - Dec., 1910), pp. 446-454
I. ERLINTON
(Theme: Unwelcome suitor, elopement, pursuit.)
This theme was taken up by the broadside writers at an early date. The oldest traceable treatment of it is in "The Masterpiece of Love- Songs," [5] the plot of which is thus outlined by the author: -
"A Dialogue betwixt a bold Keeper and a Lady gay,
He woo'd his Lord's Daughter, and carriedt he day,
But soon after Marriage was forc'd for to fight,
With his Lord and six Gentlemen, or his own Right,
He cut them and hew'd them, and paid them with blows,
And made them his Friends, that before were his Foes."
To the later, accordingly, rather than to the earlier ballad, is the following version to be referred.
THE SOLDIER [6]
1. I'll tell you of a soldier,
Who lately came from war,
A courting a lady,
Both wealthy and fair.
Her portion was so great,
It scarcely could be told,
But yet she loved the soldier
Because he was so bold.
2. She says, "My dearest jewel,
I fain would be your wife,
But my father is so cruel,
I fear he'll end my life."
He took his sword and pistol,
And hung them by his side,
He swore he would marry her,
Whatever might betide.
3. To church they went,
And returning home again,
Her father met them
With seven armed men.
"Oh, dear!" says the lady,
"I fear we shall be slain." -
"Fear nothing, my jewel!"
The soldier said again.
4. Then up speaks the father,
With a great frown he said,
" 'T is this your behavior,
To me this very day,
Since you have been so silly
To be a soldier's wife,
Here in this lonesome valley,
I'll end your pleasant life!"
5. Then up speaks the soldier,
"I do not like this prattle!
Although I am a bridegroom,
I am prepared for battle."
He took his sword and pistol,
He caused them forth to rattle,
The lady held the horse,
While the soldier fought the battle.[7]
6. The first one he came to,
He quickly had him slain,
The next one
He ran him through amain,
"Let's flee," cried the rest,
"Or we all shall be slain,
To fight with this brave soldier
Is altogether vain."
7. "Oh, stay your hand!" the old man cried,
"It makes my blood run cold,
I give you up my daughter,
Five thousand pounds in gold!" -
"Fight on!" says the lady,
"Your portion is too small," -
"Oh, stay your hand, kind soldier,
And you shall have it all!"[8]
8. He took the soldier home,
Acknowledged him his heir,
'T was not because he loved him,
But 't was for dread and fear.
There never was a soldier,
Who was fit to carry a gun,
That would ever flinch, or start an inch,
Until the battle's won.
9. Despise not a soldier
Because he is poor,
He is as happy in the field of war
As at the bar of door,
He's merry, brisk, and lively,
Brave, sociable, and gay,
And as ready to fight for love
As for his liberty.
_______________
Footnotes:
6. "The Soldier," A , Folk-Songs of the North Atlantic States, as derived from L. A., Camden, N. J., by MS. of I. L. M., Vineland, N.
7. Compare "The Masterpiece of Love-Songs":
"Come on, quoth the Keeper, 't is no time to prattle,
I see by your swords, you're prepar'd for battle.
With his sword and buckler he made them to rattle,
The Lady did hold the horse for the Keeper."
8. Compare "The Masterpiece of Love-Songs":
"O then, quoth the Lord, bold Keeper, hold thy hand,
If you'll give your daughter thirty thousand in land,
You shall not dye by the hand of the Keeper.
Keeper, quoth the Lady, 't is too small a portion.
Peace, quoth the Lord, daughter, let your will be done.'