The Recruited Collier

The Recruited Collier - Anne Briggs

Written by：Anne Briggs

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 pay day he went off to town and them red coated fellows

Enticed him in and made him drunk and he'd be 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'd run 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 cannot bear him

A brigadeer or grenadier he says they're sure to make him

But aye he gibes and cracks his jokes and begs me not forsake him

As I walked o'er the stubble field below it runs the seam

I thought o' Jimmy hewing there but it was all a dream

He hewed the very coals we burn and when the fire I's leeting

To think the lumps was in his hands it sets my heart a beating

So break my heart and then it's o'er so break my heart my dearie

For I'll lie in the cold green ground for of single life I'm weary