|
Oh what's the matter with you my lass |
|
And where's your dashing Jimmy |
|
The soldier boys have picked him up |
|
And sent him far, far from me |
|
Last payday he went into town |
|
And them red-coated fellows |
|
Enticed him in and made him drunk |
|
An he'd better gone to the gallows |
|
The very sight of his cockade |
|
It sets us all a-crying |
|
And me I nearly fainted twice |
|
I thought that I was dying |
|
My father would have paid the smart |
|
And he ran for the golden guinea |
|
But the sergeant swore he'd kissed the book |
|
So now they've got young Jimmy |
|
When Jimmy talks about the wars |
|
It's worse than death to hear him |
|
I must go out and hide my tears |
|
Because I can never bear him |
|
A brigadier or grenadier |
|
He says they're sure to make him |
|
And aye he jibes and cracks his jokes |
|
And bids me not forsake him |
|
As I walked o'er the stubble field |
|
Below it runs the seam |
|
I thought of Jimmy hewing there |
|
But it was all a dream |
|
He hewed the very coals we burn |
|
And when the fire I'm lighting |
|
To think the lumps were in his hands |
|
Would set my heart a-beating |
|
So break my heart and then it's o'er |
|
Oh break my heart my dearie |
|
And I lie in the cold, green ground |
|
For of single life I'm weary |