I think the point that he was NOT a soldier is significant, Peg. He was not - she wanted him to be. There would not be much point in her laying out the odd 15 shillings to get him to enlist if he was already a soldier! And call me a cynic if you like but I cannot see a young lass forking out a significant amount of money (and other resource) for no return. Now, if you fancy proving me wrong Peg, me dear, my address is...;-)

I guess it will be one of them things - many versions of the same song and we will never know what was the original. Apart from the simple fact that whatever I sing (or say) is always right of course...

Cheers

Dave the (ever hopeful) Gnome