The Drummer

From Angelo Dornan of Elgin, New Brunswick, via Helen Creighton's book.

One bright summer's morning in the sweet month of May,
Four and twenty ladies went strolling so gay.
A regiment of soldiers they chanced to pass by,
And the drummer on one of them cast-ed his eye.

And it's oh my hard fortune.

He went to his comrade and this he did say
"Four and twenty ladies I saw yesterday.
There's one girl among them, she has my heart won,
And if she denies me, I'm surely undone."

"Oh go to this fair one and tell her your mind;
Tell her she has caused you to grieve and to pine.
Tell her she has wounded your poor heart full sore,
And if she denies you she can do no more."

He went to this fair one and this he did say,
"Begging your pardon for speaking so free,"
Saying, "Honorable lady, you have my heart won,
And if you deny me, I'm surely undone."

When this lady made answer, she spoke with disdain,
"From such high flown presumption I beg you refrain
For I am a lord's daughter, his heiress to be,
Therefore, little drummer, you're making too free."

When he heard her say so he bade her farewell,
Saying, "I'll send my poor soul to heaven or hell,
And with a bright sword I'll finish my strife,
For I'll cut the sweet tender veins of life."

When the lady heard this, she was filled with dismay,
"Don't send your poor soul to perdition I pray.
It's a pity your innocent blood for to spill.
Come back, little drummer, I'll go if you will.

"And if my dear parents should fail to agree,
We'll ask for their blessing and wait patiently.
But what can they say when our marriage is done,
But I took great delight in the sound of a drum."

A regimental wedding was held the next day.
Her parents' objections were all charmed away.
And what do you think that her father should give
But 10,000 a year as long as they live.

And it's oh my good fortune