Digital Tradition Mirror

The Banks of the Dee (Parody ca. 1776)

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

The Banks of the Dee (Parody Ca. 1776)
(Oliver Arnold)

'Twas winter and cold Tory noses were freezing
As they marched o'er the plains where they ought not to be.
The valiants complained at the fifers' curst wheezing
And wished they were back on the banks of the Dee.
     Lead on, thou paid captain! Tramp on, thou proud minions!
     Thy heads, haughty men shall be strung like ripe onions
     For here thou hast found heads with warlike opinions
     On shoulders of nobles who ne'er saw the Dee.

Prepare for war's conflict; or make preparation
For peace with the rebels, for they're brave and glee.
Keep mindful of dying, and leave the foul nation
That sends out its armies to brag and to flee.
     Make haste now, and leave us, thou miscreant Tories!
     To Scotland repair! there court the sad houris
     And listen once more to their plaints and their stories
     Concerning the "glory and pride of the Dee."

Be quiet and sober, secure and contented,
Upon your own land, be valiant and free;
Bless God that the war is so nicely prevented
And till the green fields on the banks of the Dee.
     The Dee then will flow, all its beauty displaying
     The lads on its banks will again be seen playing
     And England thus honestly taxes defraying
     With natural drafts from the banks of the Dee.


RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!