The Highland Soldier

On the Highland mountains so far away,
There dwelt a lovely maiden
One morn so early she did stray.
For to view the soldiers parading.
They march’d so bold, all drest so gay.
With colours flying, and the band did play,
Which caus’d that maiden for to say,
I’ll gang unto my Highland soldier.
She watch’d those soldiers from the plain,
Till they were at their leisure,
Where she beheld her darling swain–
She cried, I’ve found my treasure.
How could my cruel father be,
To banish my true-love so long from me?
I’ll forsake them all and gang along with thee,
My bold young Highland soldier.
Said William, your parents you should mind,
Pray do not be unruly,
And if you gang to a foreign clime,
You’ll greive, believe me, truly.
If I in battle should chance to fall,
All by an angry cannon ball,
And so you far from your father’s hall,
Be advis’d by your Highland soldier.
A blush bedeck’d her lovely cheek,
And tears her eyes bedewing,
She said, my William, hear me speak,
Or, alas! ’twill prove my ruin.
It’s never say no, love, let me go,
With you I’d face the daring foe,
With my gun I will wander to and fro,
To guard my Highland soldier.
Our pay, says William is so small,
Our rations are so scanty,
It is that would grieve me the worse than all,
When at home you could have plenty.
She replied–I’ve fifty pounds in store,
Besides I’ve a heart–and that’s much more;
I would give it all to the lad I do adore,
To gang with my Highland soldier.
Said William, since you are so true,
And seem so tender-hearted,
Sweet maiden, I will marry you,
Till death we will never be parted.
And when we go to a foreign land,
I’ll guard my true-love at my right hand,
And Providence may stand the friend,
Of Mary and her Highland soldier.

*Transcriber’s note: Dugaw’s catalogue contains multiple variants of this ballad; this is the first of the variants listed. To review other variants of this ballad, please consult the Dugaw catalogue.

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BBO Roud Number: V14854

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