Lyr Req: Soldier's Return (Robert Burns)

Subject: RE: Lyrics: Soldier's Return (Robert Burns)
From: MMario
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 01:37 PM

thank you , Malcolm.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: Soldier's Return (Robert Burns)
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 01:23 PM

The tune is in the DT, with the song of the same name:  The Mill, the Mill O

Subject: Lyr Add: THE SOLDIER'S RETURN (Robert Burns)
From: MMario
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 01:02 PM

THE SOLDIER'S RETURN
Burns ~ 1793
Tune: The Mill, mill, O.

When wild war's deadly blast was blawn,
And gentle peace returning,
Wi' mony a sweet babe fatherless,
And mony a widow mourning;
I left the lines and tented field,
Where lang I'd been a lodger,
My humble knapsack a' my wealth,
A poor and honest sodger.

A leal, light heart was in my breast,
My hand unstain'd wi' plunder;
And for fair Scotia hame again,
I cheery on did wander:
I thought upon the banks o' Coil,
I thought upon my Nancy,
I thought upon the witching smile
That caught my youthful fancy.

At length I reach'd the bonie glen,
Where early life I sported;
I pass'd the mill and trysting thorn,
Where Nancy aft I courted:
Wha spied I but my ain dear maid,
Down by her mother's dwelling!
And turn'd me round to hide the flood
That in my een was swelling.

Wi' alter'd voice, quoth I, "Sweet lass,
Sweet as yon hawthorn's blossom,
O! happy, happy may he be,
That's dearest to thy bosom:
My purse is light, I've far to gang,
And fain would be thy lodger;
I've serv'd my king and country lang-
Take pity on a sodger."

Sae wistfully she gaz'd on me,
And lovelier was than ever;
Quo' she, "A sodger ance I lo'ed,
Forget him shall I never:
Our humble cot, and hamely fare,
Ye freely shall partake it;
That gallant badge-the dear cockade,
Ye're welcome for the sake o't."

She gaz'd-she redden'd like a rose -
Syne pale like only lily;
She sank within my arms, and cried,
"Art thou my ain dear Willie?"
"By him who made yon sun and sky!
By whom true love's regarded,
I am the man; and thus may still
True lovers be rewarded.

"The wars are o'er, and I'm come hame,
And find thee still true-hearted;
Tho' poor in gear, we're rich in love,
And mair we'se ne'er be parted."
Quo' she, "My grandsire left me gowd,
A mailen plenish'd fairly;
And come, my faithfu' sodger lad,
Thou'rt welcome to it dearly!"

For gold the merchant ploughs the main,
The farmer ploughs the manor;
But glory is the sodger's prize,
The sodgerpppp's wealth is honor:
The brave poor sodger ne'er despise,
Nor count him as a stranger;
Remember he's his country's stay,
In day and hour of danger.

If you have the tune, are you able to post it?

Subject: RE: Lyrics: Soldier's Return (Robert Burns)
From: MMario
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 12:59 PM

Soldier's Return

Subject: Lyrics: Soldier's Return (Robert Burns)
From: winniemih
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 12:53 PM

I've got the melody but not the words; there's nothing in the digitrad. Can anyone in Mudcat land direct me to a source for these lyrics? Thanks! Winnie