I love the language of old ballads but like Tunesmith I do alter some words from time to time. In Peggy and the Soldier I've changed the line
"They marched so bold and they looked so gay,
The colors flying and the band did play."
to
"They marched so bold in their fine array,..."

just so it's not a distraction and I don't think it detracts from the strong visual image in this case.