AT THE SOUND OF THE DRUM

Are you going for a soldier with your curly yellow hair, And a scarlet coat instead of the smock you used to wear? Are you going to drive the foe as you used to drive the plough? Are you going for a soldier now?

I am going for a soldier, and my tunic is of red And I’m tired of woman’s chatter, and I’ll hear the drum instead; I will break the fighting line as you broke your plighted vow, For I’m going for a soldier now.

For a soldier, for a soldier are you sure that you will go, To hear the drums a-beating and to hear the bugles blow? I’ll make you sweeter music, for I’ll swear another vow— Are you going for a soldier now?

I am going for a soldier if you’d twenty vows to make; You must get another sweetheart, with another heart to break, For I’m sick of lies and women and the harrow and the plough, And I’m going for a soldier now!