The Jolly Soldier

On the DT

the Jolly Soldier

Roud# 321

Also titled as:
"The Bold Keeper"
"The Lady and the Dragoon"
"Bold Soldier"
"Valiant Soldier"
"Soldier's Wooing"
"Red River Shore"


Earliest printing of this version of the "Bold Soldier" printed ca. 1800 or earlier in:
The Echo: or, Columbian Songster, 2nd ed., Brookfield, Mass., Song CXLIII, pp. 150-152.

Bold Soldier


Two broadside antecedents to the "Bold Soldier" are:

"The Seaman's Renown in winning his fair lady," printed about 1670 at the Angel in Duck Lane, London.

The Seaman's Renown in winning his fair lady


"The Master-piece of Love-Songs" (or "The Bold Keeper"), printed c. 1695

The Master-piece of Love-Songs" (or "The Bold Keeper")


"The Jolly Soldier", or "The Bold Soldier"/"The Lady and the Dragoon" family of ballads from the late 1700s and early 1800s, and their two 1600s broadside antecedents, are not related to the ballads of "Earl Brand" (Child# 7) or Erlington (Child #8), though share a similar theme, where a father and seven brothers are slain by the lover they are pursuing.
This theme of "daughter elopes and is pursued by father" is common in Scandinavia as well as the Child ballads Braes o Yarrow and Fair Margaret and Sweet William.

The US versions have the "Bold Soldier" title, while the English versions are "The Lady and the Dragoon" as dragoon is the English word for soldier.

The numerous US/Canadian versions of "The Bold Soldier" stem from rewrites of the two English broadsides printed before the seventeenth century. The fundamental broadside, "The Seaman's Renown in winning his fair lady," was printed about 1670 at the Angel in Duck Lane, London. A revised print of this broadside, c. 1695, titled " The Master-piece of Love-Songs" (or "The Bold Keeper") is the likely progenitor of all the Bold Soldier/Bold Dragoon prints which were rewritten from "Masterpiece" about 1800. The new print versions eliminated the opening stanza and wooing dialogue of the 1600s prints. The first US print was included in the 1800 edition of Echo, or Columbian Songster under the  title, "The Bold Soldier." It was reprinted in "Minot Baker's favourite collection of ancient and modern songs," an edition handwritten in pen, published in Boston (MA), 1809.



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Bold Soldier
Song CXLIII

Printed ca. 1800 or earlier in:
The Echo: or, Columbian Songster, 2nd ed., Brookfield, Mass., pp. 150-152.

The publishers Ebenezer and Daniel Merriam started in 1797.

1
I'll tell you of a soldier, who lately came from war,
Who courted a lady of honor, rich and fair;
Her fortune was so great, that it scarcely could be told,
But yet, she lov'd the soldier, because he was so bold.

2
She said, my dearest jewel, I would fain be your wife,
But my dadda is so cruel, I fear he'll end my life.
He took his sword and pistols, and hung them by his side,
And swore that he would marry her, Whatever might betide.

3
When they had been to church, and returning home again,
Her old dadda met them, with seven armed men;
O dear, said the lady, I fear we shall be slain.
Fear nothing, my charmer, the soldier said again.

4
The old man to his daughter with a great frown did say,
Is this your behavior to me this very day.
Since you have been so silly, as to be a soldier's wife,
Here in this lonesome valley, I'll end you[r pleasant life.

5
And then spake up the soldier, I do not like this prattle,
Altho I am a Bridegroom, and unprepar'd for battle;
He snatch'd his sword and pistols, and made them all to rattle,
And the lady held the horse, while the soldier fought the battle.

6
The first man he came to, he quickly had him slain,
The next man he came to, he ran him thro amain,
Let's flee, cry'd the rest, for we soon shall all be slain,
To fight with this brave soldier, is altogether vain.

7
Pray, stay your hand, the old man cry'd, you make my blood run cold,
I'll give you with my daughter, five thousand pounds in gold;
Fight on, says the lady, my portion is too small,
O, stay your hand, dear soldier, and you shall have it all.

8
He took the soldier home, and acknowledged him his heir,
Twas not because he loved him, but 'twas for dread and fear.
There never is a soldier, who's fit to carry a gun,
Will ever flinch, or start an inch, till the battle he has won.

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9
Despise not a soldier because that he is poor,
He's happy in the field as at the barrack door,
Is bold, brisk, and airy, brave, sociable, and free,
As willing to fight for love, as for his Liberty.


Verse 9
Not included in the Columbian Songster.

Included in: Minot Baker's favourite collection of ancient and modern songs. handwritten,  Boston, 1809. pp. 11-13.

The Bold Soldier

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"The Master-piece of Love-Songs"
(or "The Bold Keeper")
printed c. 1695

A Diagloue Betwixt a Bold Keeper and a Lady Gay, He Woo'd His Lord's Daughter, and Carried the Day ; But Soon After Marriage was Forc'd for to Fight, with His Lord and Six Gentlemen, for His Own Right ; He Cut Them, and Hew'd Them, and Paid Them with Blows, and Made Them His Friends, that Before Were His Foes.

To the Tune Of, The Week Before Easter, the Day's Long and Clear, &c

IT was a bold Keeper that chased the Deer,
Of a stouter bold spirit you never did hear,
But he loved a Lady of Beauty most clear,
And now you shall hear of his Wooing.

Keeper:] "O pity, fair Lady! the Suit which I move,        
For I'm deep in Affection, and tossed in Love;        
For you are the Lady, the Turtle and Dove,
"Whereon I have cast my Affection."

Lady:] "0 Keeper, forbear! I shall thus answer thee,        
I'm a match for a Lord of a high Degree;        
For my Birth and yours they not equal be;
Therefore, Keeper, forbear your Wooing!"

Keeper.] "The Kepulse it maketh me sadly to grieve;
And true 'tis we all came from Adam and Eve;
One loving Word to my Life is a Reprieve,
Tho' I'm linked fast in Cupid's Prison."

Lady:] "O why should you say you're a prisoner to me?        
O hold, forbear, Keeper! for that may not be;      
We both may have Matches fitter for each Degree;
Then forbear, and take this for an Answer!"

Keeper:] "No, not for an Answer, that I shall it take;
And yet this Denial makes my Heart to ake;
And I shall lay down my Life at the stake,  
To obtain the favour of my Lady." 

Lady:] "It is a meer madness your Life to lay down;
What will people say, 'there's an end of a Clown!
That pass'd many dangers, till Fortune did frown,
And now died a pretended Lover.'"

Keeper:] The name of a Clown in my heart I do scorn,        
Being nobly descended, and a Gentleman born;        
Yet I am a Keeper that must be forlorn,
Except you can love me, fair Lady."

Lady:] "Well, Keeper, I perceive thou hast a good heart,        
Well art thou compacted in every Part;         
If my Lord did know, we both would suffer smart:
My Father would be so offended."

Keeper:] "Lady, if you will consent to be my Bride,
I will gird up my Sword and Buckler by my side,
And then to the Church in private we'll ride,
Where we will be marry'd, fair Lady."

She then gave Consent, and away they did ride,
The valiant bold Keeper and his lovely Bride;
Not fearing of danger, whatever betide;
For she was a valiant young Lady.

Being marry'd, they return'd back speedily,
And riding along her Father did espy;  
Alack!" quoth the Lady, "one or both shall die."  
"Fear nothing," quoth the Keeper, "fair Lady!" 

The Lord he came posting so fast as he could hie,
And six lusty Gentlemen for company;
Quoth he to the Keeper, "Villain! thou shalt die,
For deluding away my fair daughter."

"Come on," quoth the Keeper, "'tis no time to prattle,
I see by your swords you're prepar'd for battle."
With his sword and buckler he made them to rattle:  
The Lady held the Horse for the Keeper.

He cut them and hew'd them, on the Place he did stand;
O then, quoth the Lord, "Bold Keeper, hold thy Hand!"
"If you'll give your daughter thirty thousand in Land,
You shan't die by the hand of the Keeper."

"Keeper," quoth the Lady, "'tis too small a Portion."
"Daughter," quoth the Lord, "your will shall be done; 
I will love thy Husband, and thee ever own!"
Thus a Keeper gain'd a fair Lady


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"The Seaman's Renown in winning his fair lady,"
printed about 1670 at the Angel in Duck Lane, London.


Brave Marriners, by this you may behold
What 'tis to be a Seaman stout and bold.
This Seaman won a Lady by his valour,
And with his Sword he cur'd her Father's Choller:  
Therefore go boldly on when you begin,  
And know 'Faint-heart did ne're fair Lady win.'

Tune Of, A Week before Easter.


THere was a bold Seaman, a Ship he could stear,    
Of Buch a brave Seaman you never did hear,
And he lov'd a Lady of beauty so clear,   
And now you shall hear of his wooing,

Seaman.—"O pitty, fair Lady, let pitty thee move,
I'm deep in affliction, and tossed in Love,
And you are my Lady, my Turtle, and Dove,   
On you I do set my affection."

Lady.—"O hold thy peace, Seaman, for that may not be,        
For I am a match for a higher degree,       
And thy blood and my blood can never agree,            
Then, Seaman, take this for (in answer."

Seaman.—"O Lady, your answer doth make me to grieve,             
'Tis true that we all came from Adam and Eve.          
One loving word to my life is a reprieve,             
Although I am in Cupid's Prison."

Lady.—" Oh, why should you say you'r a prisoner to me?        
O hold, forbear, Seaman, for that may not be;      
We both may have matches fit for our degree;           
Then forbear, and take this for answer."

Seaman.—"O, no, for an answer I will it not take,
Although your denial doth make my heart aike;
I'le rather lay down my own life at the stake,   
To obtain thy good favour, sweet Lady."

Lady.—" It is a meer madness thy life to lay down,
For people will say 'there's an end of a Clown,
That past many dangers till fortune did frown,   
That dy'd like a Prodigal Lover.'"

Seaman.— " The Dame of a Clown in my heart I do scorn,
Being nobly descended, and a Gentleman born,
Yet I am a Seaman, and must live forlorn,   
Unless you can love me, fair Lady."

Lady.—"O pardon me, Seaman, for I did not know,
I thought that thy Parentage had been but low;
But I may requite thee before we do go,   
And give thee a kiss for a favour."

Seaman.—He took her by th' hand and he kissed her twice,         
Quoth he, " Dearest Lady, you have been too nice,         
To value my love at no higher a price,            
But now I do hope you'l requite me."

Lady.—" Well, Seaman, I see that thou hast a good heart,       
And art a compleat man in every part:         
If my Father knew this, we should suffer smart,         
He would be so highly enraged."

Seaman.—" If you are but willing for to be my Bride,
My Sword and my Pistol I'le take by my side,
And then to the Church we in private will ride,   
Where we will be married, fair Lady."

She then gave consent, and away they did ride,
The valiant bold Seaman and his lovely Bride,
Not fearing of anger, or what might betide,   
Their hearts were united together.

Being married they back again came speedily;
But riding along they her Father espy.
Quoth he to the Seaman, "I vow thou shalt dye,   
For deluding away my Lear Daughter."

"Come on (quoth the Seaman), 'tis no time to prattle,
I see by your weapons you are for the battle."
With Sword and with Pistol he made him to rattle,   
In the place where he gain'd his fair Lady.

He cut him and slasht him, and there he did stand,
O then quoth her Father, "Hold, Seaman, thy hand!"
"If you'l give your Daughter ten thousand in land,   
I'le spare you as I am a Seaman."

"0 Seaman," quoth she, "'tis a portion too small!"
"0 peace !" (quoth the Lord) "for that Shall not be all,
I'le give him great riches what ever befall,   
Because he's a Noble stout Seaman."

They put up their Swords, and at last did agree,
And strait-way the Lady did fall on her knee,
And beg'd that her Father would not angry be,   
Although she had married a Seaman.

Her Father unto her was there reconcil'd
And gave her his blessing, as she was his child,
"Which made the brave Seaman glad, that he smil'd,   
When ho see he had gain'd his Lord's daughter.

They afterwards lived in joy and content,
The Lady had never no cause to repent,
They pussed their time away in merriment,   
And lovingly they lived together.