Young William of the Royal Waggon Train

Young William of the Royal Waggon Train

J. Catnach, Printer, 2, Monmouth-court, 7 Dials.

One lovely morning I was walking,
In the merry month of May,
Alone a smart young pair were talking,
I overheard what they did say.
The one appeared a lovely maiden,
Seemingly in grief and pain;
The other was a gay young soldier,
A serjeant in the waggon train.

Said this young soldier I must leave you
The Royal orders I must obey,
I ne’er intended to deceive you,
So dearest Nancy shun dismay.
I’m going to cross the raging ocean,
And if fam’d laurels I should gain,
I may return with high promotion,
And bid farewell the waggon train.

Suppose your parents you offended,
And I should in the battle fall?
Then when your Soldier’s life is ended,
Alas! no friend you’ll find at all.
Besides if you are such a ranger,
You’ll have to cross the raging main,
So be a stranger to such danger,
Say farewell to the waggon train.

Young man you know my situation,
Do not leave me here behind:
I’ll bid adieu to each relation,
Be a Soldier true and kind.
If sick, or in sorrow, I will follow,
To sooth your care and drown your pain;
And in the battle hear the rattle
Of your royal waggon train.

Since you seem so much undaunted,
Nancy, I’ll ne’er bid adieu;
I’ll ask the favour, if ’tis granted,
Before I go to marry you.
I’ll guard my ranger, through each danger,
And from the foe in France and Spain,
So Heaven protect young faithful Nancy
With William in the waggon train.

*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: 1354