I was vaguely disappointed when I got the words to Dashing Away with the Smoothing Iron from the web, disappointed that it wasn’t a song about how he done her wrong.
It took the rest of the day – I was getting ready for bed - when the song I had been confusing it with finally started running through my brain. I probably had never even thought about it since leaving school, it was an odd feeling as the words came back.
It was a great favourite with adults & children – we just found it hilarious, admired the soldier’s chutzpah. After all, if that was the worst betrayal she ever suffered … And a useful warning to beware of blarney & excuses, learn how to cut your losses.
Soldier, Soldier, won’t you marry me
With your musket, fife and drum?
Ah no, Sweet Maid, I cannot marry thee
For I have no shirt to put on.
So off she went, to her grandfather's chest
And brought him a shirt, of the very, very best
And the Soldier put it on.
Soldier, Soldier, won’t you marry me?
With your musket, fife and drum?
Ah no, Sweet Maid, I cannot marry thee,
For I have no tie to put on.
So off she went, to her grandfather's chest
And brought him a tie of the very, very best
And the Soldier put it on.
Soldier, Soldier, won’t you marry me?
With your musket, fife and drum?
Ah no, Sweet Maid, I cannot marry thee,
For I have no suit to put on.
So off she went, to her grandfather's chest
And brought him a suit of the very, very best
And the Soldier put it on.
Soldier, Soldier, won’t you marry me?
With your musket, fife and drum?
Ah no, Sweet Maid, I cannot marry thee,
For I have no boots to put on.
So off she went, to her grandfather's chest
And brought him some boots of the very, very best
And the Soldier put it on.
Soldier, Soldier, won’t you marry me?
With your musket, fife and drum?
Ah no, Sweet Maid, I cannot marry thee,
For I have no coat to put on.
So off she went, to her grandfather's chest
And brought him a coat of the very, very best
And the Soldier put it on.
Soldier, Soldier, won’t you marry me?
With your musket, fife and drum?
Ah no, Sweet Maid, I cannot marry thee,
For I have no hat to put on.
So off she went, to her grandfather's chest
And brought him a hat of the very, very best
And the Soldier put it on.
Soldier, Soldier, won’t you marry me?
With your musket, fife and drum?
Oh no, Sweet Maid, I cannot marry thee,
For I have A WIFE OF MY OWN.
