Scarlet and the Blue, The

The Scarlet and the Blue

Roud 163

Written by John J Blockley in the late 1870s.

As sung by George Spicer on MTCD309-10 Just Another Saturday Night - recorded 12.11.59 at The Oak Tree, Ardingley

1. I was once a gay young ploughboy
   And I ploughed the fields all day
   'Til one strange thought came in my mind
   I'd like to run away
   For I'm getting tired of country life
   And the place where I was born
   So I've been and joined the Army and
   I'm off tomorrow morn
   
   Chorus:
   Well there's a rap for the scarlet and the blue
   And the helmets they glitter in the sun
   And the bayonets flash like lightning to
   The beating of the old militia drum - tiddley-um
   And the flag of dear old England
   Is waving proudly in the sky
   It's the watchword of our soldier-boys
   To conquer, do, or die.
   
   
2. Now I've put away my old white smock
   And I've put away my plough
   And I've put away my six-foot whip
   No more the fields to roam
   No more to reap in harvest time
   No more to sow the corn
   For I've been and joined the Army and
   I'm off tomorrow morn
   
   
3. Now there is one girl I leave behind
   And it is my Nellie fair
   But I know that she'll be true to me
   When I am far away
   And if ever I do return again
   There's one promise due to me
   Three stripes and medals on my breast
   And a sergeant's wife she'll be.