Classic Poem

In the dragoon's ride from out the north
He came up to a lady,
And then she knew him by his horse
And she loved him very dearly.
Oh dearly, oh dearly.

She took the horse by the bridle rein
To lead him to the stable.
She said, ‘There's hay and corn for the horse
So let him eat whilst able.
Oh able, oh able.’

She said, ‘There's cake and wine for you,
There's corn and hay for horses,
There's bread and ale for the king's soldier,
Aye and there's pretty lasses.
Oh lasses, oh lasses.’

She stepped upstairs, she made the bed,
She made it plump and easy,
And into bed she nimble jumped
And said ‘Dragoon, I'm ready.
Oh ready, oh ready.’

Oh he pulled off his armour bright,
He cast it on the table,
And into bed he nimbly jumps
To kiss whilst he was able.
Oh able, oh able.

They spent the night till break of dawn,
They saw the full light grieving.
‘O hark! I hear the trumpet sound.
Sweet maid, I must be leaving.
Oh leaving, oh leaving.’

‘I would the trumpet ne'er might call,
Oh cruel does it grieve me.
My heart, my very heart will break
Because, dragoon, you leave me.
Oh leave me, oh leave me.

‘Oh when shall we, love, meet again?
Oh when shall we be married?’
‘When cockle shells turn silver bells,
Then you and I shall be married.
Married, oh married.’

‘Oh what have I for Saturday night
And what have I for Sunday,
And what have I for all the week,
And what have I for Monday?
Monday, oh Monday.’

‘Here's half a crown for Saturday night,
Sheep's head and lung for Sunday.
Here's bread and cheese for all the week,
And devil a cat for Monday.
Oh Monday, oh Monday.’