Hi,

I'm shifting to North American versions for a while. This first version is from Bertha Hubbard Beard who was born in Alexander County, NC but lived in Wilkes County (Beech Mountain area) for most of her life. Her version, dated c. 1894, is on youtube sung when she was in her 90s:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyuRLQlYevo

The two extra stanzas are from Newell's "Pretty Little Pink" but are found in other versions (“We're Marching Down to Old Quebec”) and show the composite nature of the ballad in the US. The soldier here (a stanza from Pretty Little Pink) replaces the soldier as found in the "Maid and Soldier" reduction.

"New Orleans" sung by Bertha Hubbard Beard, recorded about 1970s. She was born in 1880 in Alexander County, NC learned from her father.

I'll put my knapsack on my back,
My rifle on my shoulder,
I'll march away to New Orleans
And there I'll be a soldier.
CHORUS: Fal la linka do, oh do oh do,
Fal la linka do, oh di dee.

How old are you my pretty little miss,
How old are you my honey?
She answered me with a modesty,
I'll be sixteen next Sunday.
CHORUS: Fal la linka do, oh do oh do,
Fal la linka do, oh di dee.

Will you marry me my pretty little miss,
How old are you my honey?
She answered me with a modesty,
I'll have to ask my Mommy.
CHORUS: Fal la linka do, oh do oh do,
Fal la linka do, oh di dee.

I'll put my knapsack on my back,
My rifle on my shoulder,
I'll march away to New Orleans
And there I'll be a soldier.
CHORUS: Fal la linka do, oh do oh do,
Fal la linka do, oh di dee.

Well the coffee grows on white oak trees,
And the river flows with brandy
The streets all lined with ten-dollar bills
And the girls as sweet as candy.
CHORUS: Fal la linka do, oh do oh do,
Fal la linka do, oh da dee.

* * * *

Richie