Mary And The Soldier - Andy Irvine, Paul Brady, Dónal Lunny

Come all you lads of high renown that will hear of a fair young maiden

And she roved out on a summer’s day for to view the soldier’s parading

They march so bold and they look so gay

The colours fine and the bands did play

And it caused young Mary for to say

«I'll wed you me gallant soldier»

She viewed the soldiers on parade and as they stood at their leisure

And Mary to herself did say: «At last I find my treasure

But oh how cruel my parents must be

To banish my true love away from me

Well I’ll leave them all and I’ll go with thee

Me bold and undaunted soldier"

«Oh Mary dear, your parents' love I pray don’t be unruly

For when you’re in a foreign land, believe you rue it surely

Perhaps in battle I might fall

From a shot from an angry cannonball

And you’re so far from your daddy’s hall

Be advised by a gallant soldier."

«Oh I have fifty guineas in right gold, likewise a hearth that’s burning

And I’d leave them all and I’d go with you me bold 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: «Me 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

And hopes that God might stand a friend

With Mary and her gallant soldier"