James Ervin I am a bold Republican, James Ervin is my name; I enlisted in the train, And for to exercise on Sunday did not with me agree, And that's the time, my brave boys, I took my liberty. I had an only sweetheart, Jane Wilson was her name. She said if I'd desert all for to let her know; She'd dress me in her own clothes that I might go to and fro. The weather being dark and rainy, which well favored me, And that's the time, my brave boys, I took my liberty. I traveled all that night and part of the next day; I came to Telaport and lay down on some hay. I had not laid there long before I rose again; I spied five of the train. We had a bloody combat; at length I beat them all; Those bloody rascals for quarters they did call. "Spare my life. bold Ervin, we will pray by thee And swear by all that you fought for your liberty". I went on down to sweet Galley And worked at my shoemaking trade a half a year, But carelicks, fareiicks, drawing near, It's ten to one, my brave boys, if I keep m)r liberty. They lodged me in the guardhouse. my case for to deplore I leaped out at the window and knocked two of them down; The light horse and the guardsmen, they quickly followed me, But I was received by a friend, and so I kept my liberty. I can whip any kingsman or Orangeman that does before me go; I can make them fly before me like an arrow from a bow. From Gardner SUNG in August, 1935 by Mr. E. W. Harns, Greenville, who learned the song in Kalamazoo County Michigan some time before the Civil War. DT #766 Laws J15 From Gardner SOF apr97
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