It is a poem by John Clare that was put to music by Gordon Tyrall.

This is ahow I remember it.

MARRIED A SOLDIER
(J Clare/G Tyrall)

The pride of all the village ,
The fairest to be seen .
The pride of all the village ,
That might have been a queen.
Has said farewell to neighbours
Left dance and play
Married to a soldier wandered away

The cottage stands neglected
The garden gathers green
Summer comes unnoticed
Her flowers are never seen
No one to tie a blossom or clear weed away
Married to a soldier wandered away

And the neighbours wonder at her
As surely well they may
To think that one could flatter
Her heart to go away
But the cocked hat and the feather appear very gay
She's married to a soldier wandered away