The Recruited Collier

Oh what's the matter with you my lass

And where's your dashing Jimmy

The soldier boys have picked him up

And sent him far far from me

Last payday he went into town

And them red coated fellows

Enticed him in and made him drunk

And he'd better gone to the gallows

The very sight of his kickade

It sets us all a crying

And me I nearly fainted twice

I thought that I was dying

My father would have paid the smart

And he ran for the golden guinea

But the sergeant swore he'd kiss the book

So now they've got young Jimmy

When Jimmy talks about the wars

It's worse than death to hear him

I must go out and hide my tears

Because I cannot bear him

A brigadier or grenadier

He says they're sure to make him

And aye he jibes and cracks his jokes

And bids me not forsake him

As I walked o'er the stubble field

Below it runs the seam

I thought of Jimmy hewing there

But it was all a dream

He hewed the very coals we burn

And when the fire I'm lighting

To think the lumps were in his hands

Would set my heart a beating

So break my heart and then it's o'er

Oh break my heart my dearie

And I'll lie in the cold green ground

For of single life I'm weary