Soldiers Return. Dix.37, The

X:37
T:Soldiers Return. Dix.37, The
M:C
L:1/8
Q:1/4=100
B:Anon. MS dated 1811, from Dixon collection, Holton le Moor, Lincs.
C:Burns
A:England;Lincolnshire;Holton le Moor
Z:vmp.R.Greig 2012 <http://www.village-music-project.org.uk>
K:D
de {d}f2A>B {B}A2>d2|{=c}(BA) (Bd) {f}e2de|f2A2 gf (ed)|{c}B2>^c2 d2(de)|
w:Wh-en wild w-ars dead-ly bl-ast w-as blawn a-nd gent-le p-eace re--turn--ing, And
f2A>BA2>d2|BA Bde2(de)|{d}f2A2(gf) (ed)|{=c}B2>^c2d2||
w:eyes a--gain mid pl-eas--ure beam'd, th-at had been bl-ear'd wi--  mourn--ing;
zA|de fg {g}a2>a2|(ba) (gf) e2>A2|de fg ab ag|f2>g2a2zA|
w:I l-eft th-e lines and tent---ed fields, Where l-ong I-'d b-een a-- l-odg-er; My
(de) (fg) a2(fa)|ba gfe2de|f2A2(gf) (ed)|{=c}B2>^c {e}d2||
w:h-um-b-le knap--sack a'-- m-y wealth, A-- poor but hon---est sod--ger.
W:%
W:A leal, light heart was in my breast,	
W:My hand unstain'd wi' plunder;	
W:And to dear Scotia hame again,	
W:I cheerly on did wander:	
W:I thought upon the banks o' Coil,	
W:I thought upon my Nancy,	
W:I thought upon the witching smile	
W:That caught my youthful fancy.	
W:%
W:3
W:At length I reached the bonny glen,	
W:Where early life I sported;	
W:I passed the mill and trysting thorn,	
W:Where Nancy oft I courted:	
W:Wha' spied I but my ain dear maid,	
W:Down by her mother's dwelling	
W:And turn'd me round to hide the flood	
W:That in mine eye was swelling.	
W:%
W:4
W:Wi' alter'd voice, quoth I, "Sweet lass,	
W:Sweet as yon hawthorn blossom,	
W:O happy, happy may he be,	
W:That's dearest to thy bosom	
W:My purse is light, I hae far to gang,	
W:Fain would I be thy lodger;	
W:Ive served my King and country lang-	
W:Tak' pity on a sodger."	
W:%
W:5
W:Sae wistfully she gaz'd on me,	
W:And lovelier was than ever;	
W:Quo' she, "A sodger ance I lo'ed,	
W:Forget him I shall never:	
W:Our humble cot, and hamely fare,	
W:Ye freely shall partake it;	
W:That gallant badge-the dear cockade,	
W:Ye're welcome for the sake o't."	
W:%
W:6
W:She gaz'd-she redden'd like the rose-	
W:Syne pale like only lilly;	
W:She sank within my arms, and cried,	
W:Art thou my ain dear Willie	
W:By him who made yon sun and sky	
W:By whom true love's regarded-,	
W:I am the man- and thus may still	
W:True lovers be rewarded.	
W:%
W:7
W:The wars are o'er, and I'm come hame,	
W:And find thee still true-hearted;	
W:Tho' poor in gear, we're rich in love,	
W:And, mair, we'se ne'er be parted."	
W:Quo' she, "My grandsire left me gowd,	
W:A mailen plenish'd fairly;	
W:Come then, my faithfu' sodger lad,	
W:Thou'rt welcome to it dearly"	
W:%
W:8
W:For gold the merchant ploughs the main,	
W:The farmer ploughs the manor;	
W:But glory is the sodgers prize,	
W:The sodger's wealth is honor:	
W:The brave poor sodger ne'er despise,	
W:Nor count him as a stranger;	
W:Remember he's his country's stay,	
W:In day and hour of danger.

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