Did a folky thing and decided to look through my "penguin book of old english folk songs" to see if anything jumped out words wise.. as it happened the first page it opened at was this  - it's been done with the traditional tune in the past by Ewan MacColl and many others - but serendipity having prevailed, it fitted my ditty pretty well. 

So here are the words  - written (apparently) about the 1745 Jacobite rebellion and a soldier having to leave his sweetheart...

The Manchester Angel (Trad.)

It's coming down to Manchester to gain my liberty,

I met a pretty young doxy and she seemed full of glee.

Yes, I met a pretty young doxy, the prettiest ever I see.

At the Angel Inn in Manchester, there is the girl for me.

Then early next morning, just at the break of day,

I went to my love's bedside, my morning vows to pay.

I hugged her, I cuddled her, I bade her to lie warm;

And she said: "My jolly soldier, do you nean me any harm ?'

"To mean you any harm, my love, is a thing that I would scorn.

If I stopped along with you all night, I'd marry you in the morn.

Before my lawful officer, my vows I will fulfil."

Then she said, " My jolly soldier, you may lie as long as you will.'

Our rout came on the Thursday, on the Monday we marched away.

The drums and fifes and bugles so sweetily did play.

Some hearts they were merry, but mine was full of woe.

She says: "May I go along with you ? " " Oh no, my love, oh no."

"If you should stand a sentry go, on a cold and bitter day,

Your colours they would go, love, and your beauty would decay

If I saw you handle a musket, love, it would fill my heart with woe

So stay at home, dear Nancy." But still she answered, "No!"

"I'll go down to your officer, and I'll buy your discharge,

Ten guineas I'll surrender if they'll set you at large.

And if that will not do my love, along with you I'll go,

So will you take me with you now?" And still I answered:"No."

"1'll go down in some nunnery and there I'll end my life.

I'll never have no lover now, nor yet become a wife.

But constant and true-hearted, love, for ever I'll remain,

And I never will get married till my soldier comes again!'

Additional Information

Genre Traditional Folk Key Dm BPM 80.0

Collaboration started April 16, 2020 by peterrand
Last upload 6mo+13dy ago

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Effective on Apr 16, 2020

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