THE LASS OF THE PAMUNKY
(F. J. Child)

Your "glens" and "groves" I ne'er admired,
And O your "broom" and "birks," they pall so!
Of Burn-sides (all but one) I'm tired,
And of your "bonny lasses" also,
The man the sings the "Banks of Doon,"--
And braes,--I hold him but a donkey;
My heart beats to another tune,
And that's the Banks of the Pamunky.

For that famed "Lass of Pattie's Mill"
I wouldn't give one nickel penny;
Of "Nannies" we've quite had our fill,
Of "Peggies" and of Jessies" many.
Ditto the "Lass of Ballochmyle,"
All set so tediously to one key;
Suppose we try a different style,
And sing the Lass of the Pamunky!

Then sing no more the "Banks of Cree,"
Or "Afton's," green and softly rounded,
But sing the steamer on the P------,
Where they took me when I was wounded.
And sing the maiden kind and true,
Trim, handy, quiet, sweet, and spunky,
That nursed me, and made no ado,
When I lay sick on the Pamunky.

Fair hands! but not too nice or coy
To soothe my pangs with service tender;
Sad eyes! that watched a wasted boy,
All loving, as your land's defender!--
O, I was then a wretched shade,
But now I'm strong, and growing chunky,
So Forward! and God bless the maid
That saved my life on the Pamunky!

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From Frances James Childs' "War Songs for Freemen", copyright 1862
It's a booklet, 6-1/2" x 4-1/2", of 56 pages. This is the "Second
Edition", published in Boston by Ticknor and Fields in 1863. It's
"Dedicated to The Army of the United States: and especially to the 2nd,
15th, and 20th Regiments of Massachusetts Volunteers, in honor of their
heroic comrades, fallen in the country's cause, and to the 43rd, 44th,
and 45th regiments, in confident expectation that they will..." At this point,
the title page is torn away, so I can't say what they will do. Note that this w
as right after he finished his first eight-volume set of "England and Scottish B
allads".

@music
filename[ PAMUNKEY
SOF
mudcat.org

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