Come all ye lads of high renown
And would hear of a fair young maiden
And she rode out of a summer's day
For to view the soldiers parading
They marched so bold and they looked so ga-ay
The colours flying and the bands did play
And it caused young Mary for to say
"I'll wed you, my gallant soldier"
And she viewed the soldiers on parade
And as they stood at their leisure
And Mary to herself did say
"At last I've found my treasure
But oh, how cruel my parents must be-e
To banish my darling so far from me
But I'll leave them all and I'll go with thee
You wild, undaunted soldier"
"Oh, Mary dear, your parents love
I pray don't be unruly
For when you're in a foreign land
Believe me, you'll rue it surely
And if in battle I might fall_
By a shot from an angry cannonball
And you so far from your daddy's hall
Be advised by your gallant soldier"
"And I have fifty guineas in bright gold
Likewise, a heart that's bolder
And I'll leave them all and I'll go with you
You wild, undaunted soldier
So don't say no, but let me go-o
And I will face the daring foe
And we'll march together, to and fro
And I'll wed you, my gallant soldier"
And when he saw her loyalty
And Mary so true hearted
He said, "Then darling, married we'll be
And nothing but death will part us
And when we're in a foreign land_
I'll guard you darling, with my right hand
In the hopes that god might stand a friend
To Mary and her gallant soldier
In the hopes that god might stand a friend
To Mary and her gallant so-ol-dier"