Mary and the Soldier

Mary and the Soldier
Traditional, arranged by Paul Brady
Come all ye lads of high reknown
That would hear of a fair young maiden
And she rode out of a summer’s day
For to view the soldiers parading
They marches so bold and they looked so gay
The colors flying and the bands did play
And it caused young Mary for to say
I’ll wed you my gallant soldier
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
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 we’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
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
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 friends
To Mary and her gallant soldier