SCARLET AND THE BLUE
traditional

Oh I once was a merry ploughboy, a-ploughing in the fields all day,
Till a funny thought came to my mind that I should run away.
For I'm tired of the country life since the day that I was born,
For I'm going to join the army and I'm off tomorrow morn.

CHORUS: Hurrah for the Scarlet and the Blue, helmets glistening in the sun,
Bayonets flash like lightning to the beating of a military drum,
And no more will I go harvesting or to gather in the golden corn,
For I've took the good King's shilling and I'm off tomorrow morn.

Well I'll leave behind my old smock coat, and I'll leave behind my plough,
And I'll leave behind my old grey mare, for I'll not need her now.
There's a flag in dear old England, floating proudly in the sky,
And the watchword of our soldiers is: "We'll conquer or we'll die."

There's just one thing that grieves my mind and that's my Nelly dear,
I hope that she'll be proud of me when I am far from here.
And if ever I return again I'll let you all see me,
As I take my Nelly to the church a sergeant's wife to be


recorded by the Yetties on
CD Singing all the way-AVSCDAL 3009