Digital Tradition Mirror

Dumbarton's Drums 2

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Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Dumbarton's Drums 2

Dumbarton's Drums beat bonny, O,
When they mind me of my dear Jonny, O,
How happy am I
When my Soldier is by,
While he kisses and blesses his Annie, O!
  'Tis a soldier alone can delight me, O,
  For his graceful Looks do invite me, O,
  While guarded in his Arms
  I'll fear no War's Alarms
  Neither Danger nor Death shall e'er fright me, O.

My Love is a handsome Laddie, O,
Genteel, but neither foppish nor gaudy, O,
Tho' commissions are dear
Yet I'll buy him one this Year
For he shall serve no longer a Cadie, O,
  A Soldier has Honour and Bravery, O,
  Unacquainted with Rogues and their Knavery, O,
  He minds no other thing
  But the Ladies or the King
  For every other Care is but Slavery, O

Then I'll be the Captain's Lady, O,
Farewell all my Friends and my Daddy, O,
I'll wait no more at home
But I'll follow with the Drum
And whene'er that beats I'll be ready, O.
  Dumbarton's Drums sound bonny, O,
  They are sprightly like my dear Jonny, O,
  How happy shall I be,
  When on my Soldier's knee
  And he kisses and blesses his Annie, O!

From Orpheus Caledoneus, Thomson (1733)
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!