I've just transcribed this song from a handwritten letter sent from San Francisco, California back here to Scotland in December 1908. The lad had worked his passage to find work helping rebuilding the city following the 1906 earthquake and fire, he was a joiner/carpenter.

The Scottish Brigade

On the banks of the Clyde stood a lad and a lassie,
The lad's name was Gordie, the lassie's was Jean
She flung her arms round him, and cried "Do not leave me"

For Gordie was going to fight for his Queen.
She gave him a lock of her bright golden tresses

She kissed him and pressed him once more to her heart

Till his eyes spoke of the love which words could not utter

But the last words are spoken, they kiss and they part.

Chorus
Over the burning plains of Egypt

Under a scorching sun

He thought of the stories he'd have to tell

His love when the fighting was done

He treasured with care that dear lock of hair

For his own darling Jeannie he prayed;

But his prayer was in vain, for she'll ne'er see again

Her lad in the Scottish Brigade.

Tho' an ocean divide the lad from his lassie

Tho' Gordie was forced far away o'er the foam

His roof was the sky, his bed was the desert

But his heart with his Jeannie was always at home

On the morning that dawned on the day of battle

Found, Geordie enacting a true hero's part

Till an enemy's bullet found it's billet

And buried that dear lock of hair in his heart.

On the banks of the Clyde dwelt a heartbroken mother
They told her of how the great victory was won
But the glory of England to her brought no comfort
For glory to her meant the loss of her son
But Jeannie is with her to comfort and shield her
Together they weep and together they pray

And Jeannie her daughter will be while she lives

For the sake of the laddie who died far away

I'm not sure it would have quelled his own mother's fears for his safety in the city.