Plains of Waterloo (5) One fine summer's morning as I went a-walking All down by the banks of some clear-flowing stream There I spied a fair maiden making sad lamentation And I drew myself in ambush for to hear her sad complaint Through the woods she marched along, made the valleys to ring oh While the small feathered songsters around her head they flew Saying, The war it is all over and peace is returning But my Willie's not returning from the plains of Waterloo I approached this young maiden and I said, My fond creature May I make enquiry as to what's your true love's name For I have been in battle where the loud cannons rattle And by his description well I think I know the same Willie Reilly's my love's name, he's a hero of great fame Although he's gone and left me in sorrow now 'tis true And no man will me enjoy but my own darling boy Although he's not returning from the plains of Waterloo If Willie Reilly's your love's name then he's a hero of great fame He and I have been in battle through many a long campaign Through Italy and Russia, through Germany and Prussia He was my loyal comrade in France and in Spain But alas there at length by the French we were surrounded And like heroes of old we did them subdue We fought for three days till at last we defeated him That bold Napoleon Boney on the plains of Waterloo On the fourteenth of June it be an end in the battle Leaving many a gallant hero in sorrow to complain Where the drums they do beat and the loud cannons rattle 'Twas by a Frenchman's bullet your young Willie he was slain And as I drew near to the spot where he lay bleeding Scarcely had I time for to bid him adieu And as he lay dying these words he kept repeating Farewell my lovely Annie you are far from Waterloo When this maiden she heard all this sad declaration Her red rosy cheeks they grew pale and woeful wan And when he heard the sound of her sad lamentations He drew her in his arms and said, I am your loving one Oh see here is the ring that between us was broken In the midst of all danger it reminded me of you And now this young couple well they are reunited No more will Willie battle on the plains of Waterloo DT #459 Laws N32 SKW apr00
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!