Origins: Soldier, Soldier

Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier, Soldier
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 19 May 25 - 04:20 PM

I heard a programme on the radio recently (while driving, that's when I mostly listen to the radio) about Dolores Keane. There was a recording of her singing the song aged ten or so. It was quite lovely.

I know of several recordings of the song, I am thinking Séamus Ennis was among them, all dating from the fifties or early sixties. I have never actually heard anyone sing it 'in real life' so it seems to have been popular during that period.

Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier, Soldier
From: Lighter
Date: 19 May 25 - 04:22 PM

M. M. Noah, She Would Be a Soldier, or the Plains of Chippewa (New York: Longworth’s, 1819), Act I, sc. ii:

“ADELA.…Don’t be surprised if you should see me going about from tent to tent, chaunting the old songs [sic] of

Soldier, soldier marry me,
With your fife and drum.”