Scarlet and the Blue, The

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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.