The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #105491 Message #4180127
Posted By: Lighter
28-Aug-23 - 09:46 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Whiskey You're the Divil
Subject: RE: Origins: Whiskey You're the Divil
Let's start again.
I have access to the garland through the Gale ECCO database via my university library.
Your local library may have access too. It's quite a resource: Eighteenth Century Collections Online.
Winstock's song, "The Soldier's FareWELL,"[sic] appears in "Britannia's Garland: Containing Four Excellent New Songs," tentatively identified as "1775?...Newcastle-upon-Tyne?"
My dearest girls we are now amarching, [sic
Alas, it is a sorrowful parting!
Since no longer you can attend us,
It is past your power now to befriend us.
A long farewel. [sic
The drums are beating to alarm them,
We wish to stay still in your arms;
But we must go and cross the ocean,
The Americans keep us all in motion,
A long farewel.
How happy we've been in this city,
To leave it now we think it a pity;
But our presence is wanted yonder,
Where the cannons roar like thunder.
A long farewel.
I think I hear my brother crying,
March, my lads, the colours flying.
Our cause is just, we'll be victorious,
If we're killed our death is glorious.
A long farewel.
Base be the man that this invented,
We with with our states might be contented;
Thousand of lives there are destroy'd, [sic
Still we'll march in peace and Joy.
A long farewel.
But what's the point of these reflections,
To go abroad we've no objections;
We'll serve his Majesty with pleasure,
As we are supported by his treasure.
A long farewel.
dear Mothers, weep not for us, [sic
We're going to fight for Britain's glory;
Our country calls, our courage to display.
The Drums are beating, there's no delay.
A long farewel.
Oh our Wives and dearest children,
Still the heavenly powers befriend them!
Still be their guide, and still support them,
Since no longer we can resort them.
A long farewel.
Oh, dearest friends, we're going to leave you,
Let not our Absence sore aggrieve you;
When these wars are fairly over,
All these Troubles we'll recover.
Farewel till then.
I think the relationship to "Whisky, You're the Devil" is minimal.