The Valiant Soldier- Marston (ME) 1866 Barry A
[From British Ballads from Maine, Barry Eckstrom and Smythe, 1929. It was Barry who in a 1909 JAFL article attached this ballad to Child 8, Erlinton. This is one of the earliest dates for collected versions in the US. Barry dates this back to the Revolutionary War but provides no evidence that it existed then.
The title is not found in the text. A Scottish print has the same title.
R. Matteson 2014, 2018]
THE SOLDIER'S WOOING
(cf. Child 8)
A."The Valiant Soldier." Sent in 1926, by Mrs. Annie V. Marston, of West Gouldsboro, who wrote, "I learned this song more than sixty years ago, hearing my brothers sing it, and I have written it from memory."
1. I'll tell you of a soldier that lately came from war,
He courted a damsel most beautiful and fair,
Her fortune was so great that it scarcely could be told,
But still she loved the soldier because that he was bold.
2 "O then," said the lady, I fain would be your wife,
But my parents are so cruel that I fear they'd take my life."
Then he took his sword and pistol and drew them by his side,
And swore that he would marry her, whatever might betide.
3 So they rode away to church, and on returning home,
They met her old father, with seven well-armed men.
"Let us fly," cried the lady, "for I fear we will be slain."
"Fear nothing, my charmer," the soldier said again.
4 Then up stepped the old man, and unto her did say,
"Is this your behavior to me this very day?
And since you are so foolish as to be a soldier's wife,
Down in this lonesome valley I will quickly take your life."
5 "O stop!" cried the soldier, "I do not like such prattle,
For since I am the bridegroom, I am prepared for battle."
Then he took his sword and pistol and caused them to rattle;
The lady held the horses while the soldier fought the battle."
6 The first one he came to, he ran him amain,
The next one he came to, he trampled him the same.
"Let us fly!" cried the rest, for I fear we will be slain,
To fight with this bold soldier it is altogether vain."
7. "Oh stop!" cried the old man, "you make my blood run cold;
You shall have with my daughter five thousand pounds in gold."
"Fight on!" cried the lady, the portion is too small."
"Oh stop!" cried old man, "and you shall have it all'"
8. So he took home the soldier and acknowledged him his heir;
It was not for love but it was through dread and fear;
For there never was a soldier that was fit to carry a gun,
Who would flinch or stir an inch, till the battle it was won.
9. So don't despise a soldier because that he is poor;
He is as happy a the battle field as at the barracks door,
And those are the boys that are jolly, brisk and free,
Who fight for the girls, their rights and liberty.