From Wedlock; or, Yesterday and To-Day, by the author of 'The maid's husband' [Henrietta Camilla Jenkin? or Cecilia Gidoin Jenkins nee Knowles?] (London: Richard Bentley, 1841)—which appears to be a memoir, or perhaps fiction.

The burden of the English girl's song, at this time, was—

"I wish that the wars were all over;"

for notwithstanding the coast was trimmed well with the military, and every town had its regiment, yet they were constantly pouring out of the country to fill up the spaces left them....


From The Land of Lost Content: Folksongs and settings of poems, edited by Michael Raven (Market Drayton: Michael Raven, 1999)

I WOULD THE WARS WERE OVER
Words: traditional; music: Michael Raven, incorporating a traditional fragment

In the meadow one morning when pearly with dew
A fair pretty maiden plucked violets blue.
I heard her clear voice making all the woods ring:
"Oh, my love is in Flanders to fight for the king,
And I would that the wars were all over,
Oh, I would that the wars were all done.

"I'll pluck the red robin so jaunty and gay;
Yet I have my Robin, but he's far away.
His jacket is red and cheeks as the rose;
He sings of his Nell as to battle he goes,
And I would that the wars were all over,
Oh, I would that the wars were all done.

"Ten thousand of bluebells now welcome the spring;
Oh, when will the church bells for victory ring?
And the soldiers return and all England rejoice?
Oh, then I'll be wed to the lad of my choice.
And I would that the wars were all over,
Oh, I would that the wars were all done."