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Oh what's the matter with you my lass |
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And where's your dashing Jimmy |
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The soldier boys have picked him up |
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And sent him far, far from me |
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Last payday he went into town |
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And them red-coated fellows |
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Enticed him in and made him drunk |
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An he'd better gone to the gallows |
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The very sight of his cockade |
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It sets us all a-crying |
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And me I nearly fainted twice |
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I thought that I was dying |
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My father would have paid the smart |
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And he ran for the golden guinea |
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But the sergeant swore he'd kissed the book |
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So now they've got young Jimmy |
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When Jimmy talks about the wars |
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It's worse than death to hear him |
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I must go out and hide my tears |
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Because I can never bear him |
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A brigadier or grenadier |
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He says they're sure to make him |
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And aye he jibes and cracks his jokes |
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And bids me not forsake him |
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As I walked o'er the stubble field |
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Below it runs the seam |
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I thought of Jimmy hewing there |
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But it was all a dream |
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He hewed the very coals we burn |
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And when the fire I'm lighting |
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To think the lumps were in his hands |
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Would set my heart a-beating |
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So break my heart and then it's o'er |
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Oh break my heart my dearie |
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And I lie in the cold, green ground |
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For of single life I'm weary |
