Wiltshire Community History

Top

Folk Song Information

Song TitleBold recruit
Roud No.12878
Collected FromEggleton, John
LocationBlunsdon
CountyWiltshire
Collected ByWilliams, Alfred
Alternative Title
Tune
Date
Source PrimaryWSRO: 2598/36 Packet 4 - Wiltshire: Williams, A: MS collection No Wt 311
Source SecondaryWilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 5th February, 1916, p 3, Part 17, No. 7
Recording
 
Song Lyrics
Verse 1

See these ribbons gaily streaming!
I'm a soldier now, Lizette,
And of battle I am dreaming,
And the honour I shall get;
With a bayonet by my side,
And a helmet on my brow,
And a proud steed to ride,
I shall rush through the foe.

Verse 2

We shall march away tomorrow,
By the breaking of the day,
When the trumpets shall be sounding,
And the merry cymbals play;
And before I say goodbye,
And, alas, a parting take,
Take this ring as a proof,
And wear it for my sake.

Verse 3

Shame, Lizette! to still keep weeping,
While there's fame in store for me,
Think of home when I'm returning,
What a joyful day 'twill be;
When to church you're fondly led,
Like a lady, proudly dressed, [drest]
With a hero to be wed,
With a medal on his breast.

Verse 4

Cheer up, my own Lizette!
Let not grief your beauty stain,
Soon as the battle's ended,
Your recruit you'll see again;
There is not a maiden fair,
But will welcome the salute,
And will envy the gay bride,
Of a bold, young recruit.
 
Print Song Lyrics
 
Notes
Williams, Alfred: Ms / WGS 'This song dates probably form the opening of the nineteenth century, i.e. the time of the wars on the Continent. I obtained the words of John Eggleton, Broad Blunsdon, Wiltshire. He is in his ninetieth year.'

Transcribed and edited by Chris Wildridge, 2010.
  Folk Song Search

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

  

 Contact Details

 Wiltshire Studies
 Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre
 Cocklebury Road
 Chippenham
 Wiltshire, SN15 3QN
 Email: localstudies@wiltshire.gov.uk


>>> Translate this page <<<

Top of Page