Lyr ADD The Soldier's Sweetheart (Jimmie Rodgers)

Subject: Once I had a sweetheart
From: December
Date: 16 May 97 - 09:45 AM

This song is about a young man going off to war (Span. Amer. War - I think). It starts off: Once I had a sweetheart, a sweetheart brave and true. If anyone knows the lyrics - I would appreciate them. My Mother used to sing it - she passed away recently and I haven't been able to remember the whole song just bits and pieces.

Subject: RE: Once I had a sweetheart
From: Bert Hansell
Date: 16 May 97 - 10:22 AM

Sounds like a Jimmie Rodgers number. I'll look it up when I get home tonight.
Bert.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE SOLDIER'S SWEETHEART (Jimmie Rodgers)
From:
Date: 16 May 97 - 08:00 PM

The Jimmie Rodgers reference is correct. I have the original record (scratch, scratch). Words follow:


THE SOLDIER'S SWEETHEART
As recorded by Jimmie Rodgers, 1927. (Victor 20864)

Once I had a sweetheart, a sweetheart brave and true.
His hair was dark and curly; his loving eyes were blue.

He told me that he loved me, and he often proved it so,
And he often come to see me, when the evening sun was low.

But they took him away, to this awful German war,
And when he come to say goodbye, my heart did overflow.

He says: "Goodbye, little darling; to France I must go."

He takes the golden finger ring, and he placed it on my hand,
Said: "Remember me, little darling, when I'm in no man's land."

He promised he would write to me; that promise he's kept true,
And when I read this letter fine, I pray the war is through.

The second letter I got from him, the war was just ahead.
The third one wrote by his captain; my darling dear was dead.

I'll keep all of his letters; I'll keep his gold ring, too,
And I'll always live a single life for the soldier who was so true.


Not a Spanish-American War song in this incarnation, but was there an earlier version?

Speaking of songs about dying soldiers, does anyone know one with this line: 'If you live to get home, you may tell them that I'm gone, that I sleep in a gallant soldier's grave." --heard from my grandfather, and never again--

Subject: RE: Once I had a sweetheart
From: December
Date: 16 May 97 - 11:41 PM

Bert & George,

Thank you both so much. I have been trying since July to remember more words to this song. There may be an earlier version for some reason a line sticks in my mind - and off together they did go to the Spanish American War - maybe another song. The words supplied by George sound very familiar for the most part. I have not heard of the song you are looking for - but I will let you know if I find anything out about it. Thank you once again this was very important to me.

Subject: Lyr Req: 'A Soldiers Sweetheart'
From: GUEST,Newfiegirl
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 01:25 PM

Can anybody please help me with the lyrics and chords to a old song,
"A Soldiers Sweetheart" by Jimmy Rodgers... God Bless

Subject: Lyr Add: A SOLDIER'S SWEETHEART (from J Rodgers)
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 01:58 PM

A SOLDIER'S SWEETHEART

Once I had a sweetheart,
A sweetheart brave and true.
His hair was dark and curly,
His loving eyes were blue.
He told me that he loved me,
And he often proved it so.
And he often came to see me,
When the ev'ning sun was low.

But fate took him away
To this awful German war,
And when he came to say goodbye,
My heart did overflow.

He says, "Goodbye, little darling,
To France I must go."

He takes the golden finger ring
and he placed it on my hand,
Said, "Remember me, little darling,
When I'm in no man's land.

He promised he would write to me,
That promise he's kept true.
And when I read this letter, friend,
I pray the war is through.

The second letter I got from him,
The war was just ahead.
The third one, wrote by his captain,
My darling dear was dead.

I'll keep all of his letters,
I'll keep his gold ring, too.
And I'll always live a single life
For the soldier who was so true.

MRS. CARRIE RODGERS: A pal of Jimmie's, Sammie Williams, told his sweetheart good-bye and went to France -- to be killed in action. So before the war was over, Jimmie found time to pick out words and air to his first composition, a sentimental song.... From the first his railroad buddies liked the song, and the young fellows in Meridian who were his boon companions liked it. With banjo, guitar, uke, they hung around the all-night places or strolled the streets playing and singing Jimmie's song along with 'Sweet Adeline' and other sentimental ballads. But it was not until some ten years later that the world heard -- and approved of it.
From 'My Husband, Jimmie Rodgers,' reprinted in Dorothy Horstman, Sing Your Heart Out, Country Boy, New York, NY, 1976, p. 282


This song was recorded by Jimmie Rodgers at his first ever recording session for RCA Victor's talent scout Ralph Peer at 408 State Street, Bristol, TN, 4 Aug 1927 (released as Vi 20864).
© 1927 Peer International Corporation
Lyrics as reprinted in Dorothy Horstman, Sing Your Heart Out, Country Boy, New York, NY, 1976, p. 282-283

From:http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/parton/2/sold.html

Subject: Lyr Add: SOLDIER'S SWEETHEART
From: nutty
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 01:59 PM

I've found these words ... not sure if they are what you want but no luck on the chords.

SOLDIER'S SWEETHEART

She was a soldier's sweetheart,
Pure as the morning dew,
Home from the war to wed her
Hastened her lover true.

Back to the field of conflict,
Duty bids him go,
Kissing his bride, he whispers:
"Soldiers must fight, you know."

CHORUS: "'Tis only a sad sweet memory,
Darling, of bygone years,
Only a dream of you, dear,
Kissing away my tears."

"A soldier's wife must not weep," you say,
But how can my heart be light?
'Tis only a sad sweet memory,
Darling of you, tonight."

There came a tender message
Saying his love was true,
Borne by a wounded comrade,
These were his words to you:

"For my dear Flag and Freedom,
Love, I gave my life,
Shed not a tear, remember,
You are a soldier's wife."

"Popular" just after World War I.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'a soldiers sweetheart'
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 11:03 PM

Hi Guys, thanks a lot for the songs.
God Bless....Newfiegirl

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'a soldiers sweetheart'
From: masato sakurai
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 11:37 PM

The recording is at Honkingduck: Click here. Also at The Record Lady's All-Time Country Favorites (Salute To Veterans Page 2).
~Masato