Here's my first look at Eliza's version. There are a few bits that aren't clear; I'll try and have a better listen with technological aid later.

I've also added another version (actually a composite of a version collected by Baring-Gould, filled out with two other verses from a different source). I'll put the tune for this up later.

Mick

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^^^
I WISH THAT THE WARS WERE ALL OVER

<Instrumental intro>

In the meadow one morning when pearly with dew
A fair pretty maiden she plucked violets blue,
And I heard a clear voice making all the woods ring -
My love he's in Flanders to fight for the king.
How I wish that the wars were all over
I wish that the wars were all done.

I'll pluck the red robin so jaunty and gay.
Well I had my robin but he flew far away.
His little jacket was red and his cheeks as the rose
How he sings of his girl as to battle he goes.
How I wish that the wars were all over
I wish that the wars were all done.

<Instrumental break>

Tender as a-milk?, bluebells may welcome the Spring
O when will the church bells o'er this fiddle? ring in
When will our soldiers return, when will we rejoice
And when will I wed to the one who I choice.
How I wish that the wars were all over
I wish that the wars were all done.


Source: Eliza Carthy - live at Buxton Opera House 2007

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Here's the other set.


I WISH THAT THE WARS WERE ALL OVER

It was down in the meadows where violets are blue.
I saw pretty Polly a-milking her cow.
And the song that she sang made all the grove to ring.
O Billy's gone from me to serve George the king.
And I wish that the wars were all over,
Crying O that the wars were all over.

I stepped up to her and I made this reply.
I said Pretty Polly what makes you to cry?
My Billy is gone from me that I love so dear
And the 'mericans will kill him so great is my fear.
And I wish that the wars were all over,
Crying O that the wars were all over.

I said pretty Polly can you fancy me?
I'll make you as happy as happy can be.
O no pretty sir I can never love you
To my Billy alone I am constant and true.
And I wish that the wars were all over,
Crying O that the wars were all over.

I now for my parents no longer can stay.
To seek for my Billy I'll haste and away.
To see if my Billy will make me his wife
So free for his sake I will venture my life.
And I wish that the wars were all over,
Crying O that the wars were all over.

O now to some tailor I'll haste and away
To rig myself out in some young man's array.
And like a bold fellow so neat and so trim
So free for his sake I will go serve the King.
And I wish that the wars were all over,
Crying O that the wars were all over.


Source: Sam Richards and Trish Stubbs: The English Folksinger


The notes say: "Sung by Sam Fone, Mary Tavy, Devon. Collected by Sabine Baring-Gould, 1893. Last two verses from A Sailor's Songbag, Ed. George C. Carey, University of Massachusetts Press, 1976.

This song is something of a rarity. Sam Fone, a Dartmoor miner, gave our first three verses to Baring-Gould, and we have completed the text from another source. It is not untypical of a certain class of song from the time of the American Wars of Independence. Many English people had little sympathy with the wars - the Americans' ambitions were shared by the English radicals and the Americans were regarded as their own blood. Polly, therefore, sings an eloquent protest against the removal of thousands of young men to fight in wars many cared little about"