Digital Tradition Mirror

Come Be a Soldier for Marlboro and Me

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Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Come Be a Soldier for Marlboro and Me
(Pete Coe)

A gay Grenadier came marching down through Rochester
Bound for the wars in the low countries
And he sang as he rode through the crowded streets of Rochester
"Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me?
  Who'll be a soldier, who'll be a soldier
  Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me
  And  he  sang  as he marched through  the  crowded  streets  of
     Rochester
  Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me

"The King he is looking for soldiers for the continent
Strike one last blow to the enemy
And if you'd be a soldier all in your scarlet uniform
Take the King's shilling for Marlboro and me"
   (likewise)

"Not I," said the mason, "Nor I," said the tailor
And most of the crowd with them did agree
"To be rattled by the powder and the cannonball
Wages for soldiers for Marlboro and thee"

"Oh I," said the young man, "I cannot stand the parish queue
No work or wages for the likes of me
Salvation or danger, it shall be my destiny
To seek employment with Marlboro and thee"

So forty new recruits came marching down through Rochester
Bound for the wars in the low countries
And  they  sang as they marched through the  crowded  streets  of
  Rochester
"Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me?"

Copyright Pete Coe
sung by Jean Redpath
tune Waltzing Mathilda
SOF

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!