The Soldier Maid

When I was just a handsome maid about age seventeen
I enlisted in the infantry a' for to serve the Queen,
I enlisted in the infantry a drummer boy to stand
To hear the cannon's thunder and the music oh so grand.

With me white cap and feather, likewise me rattlin' drum
They learned me to play upon the rubba dubba dum
With me gentle waist so slender, me fingers white and small
Could play upon the rubba dum the best of them all.

And many was the battles that I saw among the French
And there I fought so bravely although I was but a wench
And in buttoning up me trousers, I laughed until I smiled
To think I lay with a thousand men and a maiden all the while.

And so I kept me secret safe until this very hour
They sent me off to London to be sentry at the Tower
A young girl fell in love with me, and I told her I was a maid.
She went unto me officer and my secret she betrayed.

My officer came up to me and he asked me if it was true.
"It's a shame," he said, "To lose a pretty drummer boy like you.
But now you must return unto your mum and dad at home."
So, farewell to me comrades. No longer shall I roam.

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