Historical Folk Lyrics
"The Blue Cockade"

'Twas on one Monday morning
As I walked o'er the moss,
I little thought of 'listing,
'Til some soldiers did me cross,
The company enticed me
To drink their health all round,
And the bounty (and the bounty),
And the bounty (and the bounty),
They gave me:
Five guineas and a crown.

My head was full of drink love
And I didn't think of you
And now I'm forced to go and join
The orange and the blues.
Our ship she waits at anchor
To take the flowing tide.
I'll return love (I'll return love),
I'll return love (I'll return love)
In the springtime
When I make you my bride.

So early the next morning,
Before the break of day,
The captain called his orders
And my love marched away.
All in your ranks and files boys,
All on your native shore.
Are thee well love (fare thee well love),
Fare thee well love (fare thee well love),
Fare thee well love,
You're the lad that I adore.

But I hope you never prosper
And I hope you always fail;
At everything you venture
I hope you n'er do well;
And the very ground you walk upon -
May the grass refuse to grow,
Since you've been the (since you've been the),
Since you've been the (since you've been the)
Very cause of
My sorrow, grief and woe.

It's true my love has listed
And he wears a blue cockade;
He is a handsome young man,
Likewise a roving blade;
He is a handsome young man,
He's gone to serve the king,
Whilst my very (whilst my very),
Whilst my very (whilst my very)
Heart is breaking
All for the love of him.