The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #36510 Message #1094409
Posted By: nutty
16-Jan-04 - 04:21 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer)
Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier and the Sailor (Soldier's Prayer)
This is very similar to the version MMario posted. It was collected by Fred Hamer from the singing of Harry Scott of Bedfordshire and printed in the EFDS Publication "GARNERS GAY"
THE SOLDIER AND THE SAILOR
(traditional)
Oh the soldier and the sailor went a-walking one day
Said the soldier to the sailor, I'm a-going for to pray
I'm a-going for to pray for the good of all men
And whatever-ever I do pray for, you will answer Amen
The first thing that they came to was an old hollow tree
Said the soldier to the sailor, There's a pulpit for thee
Pray on said the soldier , pray on once again
And whatever-ever you do pray for, I will answer Amen
Now the first thing he prayed for was for our gracious Queen
Happy may she live and long may she reign
And where she had one man, I wish she had ten
She would always have a standing army. Cried the soldier, Amen
The next thing he prayed for was for be our gracious Queen
That she may have peace and plenty all the days of her reign
And where she has one ship, I wish she had ten
She would never ever want a navy, Cried the soldier, Amen
Now the next thing he prayed for was a quart of brown ale
And as long as we're drinking it may our hearts never fail
And where we have one quart I wish we had ten
Bravo, cried the soldier, I will answer, Amen