Soldiers & sailors

[NLS note: a graphic appears here – see image of page]

                A NEW SONG CALL'D THE

          YOUNG VOLUNTEER

             ON HIS MARCH TO BATTLE

Oh did you hear of late mind the date what I state
I have it in my pate says the young voln teer,
They're going to raise a band I understand oot of hand
To protect Britannia's land says the young volunteer

They'l have fiddle-sticks & flutes with regimental-boots,
To show off the new recruits when on drill they do appear
Get measured for new clothes I suppose heels & toes,
Or they'l pull you by the nose says the young voluntee

You dandies one & all, great & small mind the call,
Kou'd 'ust do to stop n ball says the yeung volunteer,
No matter ame or sore breeches tore sixty-fore,
They will do the royal corps says the young volunteer,

So mind do not be afraid when you go out on parade
With a dashing peacock's tail in the ranks you will appear,
And a splendid scarlet coat all afloat mind the note,
Should you kill a billy goat says the young volunteer,

Then the tailors & the snob hold my bob what a job,
And the smith must leave his hob says the young volunteer,
And the fogies they must figh left & right day & night,
with a bunch of bullock's ligots says the young volunteer,
The nobs must leave their homes & the weavers their looms,
The sweels & the grooms they must fight with their brooms,
Old Wellinton will stand ranked foremost in the bad,
With a nine tails cat in hand says the young volunteer,

No Dan can now refuse or abuse right good news,
With neathen Turk and Jew we'l subdue never fear,
And the Quaker—gun in hand underftand every man,
Save your Country if you can says the young voltnteers,

Know the moment you're enrolled you'll be a soldier bold,
ou must wear your Irish beard one and twenty days-a-year
The scarlet you'll have on rich and rare I declare,
You must march both front and rere says the young volunteer

The farmer what a row he must leave his wife and bow,
His horrow and plough or the Frenchman may come here,
Every sinner must enlist with a shillelagh in his fist,
And the thollough ie his wrist says the young volunteer,

They'll have adeal to do for too counter-jumpers too,
They must guard our corst below—reef and steer
The sergeant w th his rod takes the nod on the sod,
We will be an awkward squad says the young volunteer,

So you ladies all sofine with your gtns a d crinoline,
You can prime, and load, and shoot, never fear,
With crinoline and hoops we'll st nd forth as mighty tr ops
Repelling all our foes sraee the young volunteer

A great army we will raise and the world we'll amaze,
We'll shoot both bugs and fleas in the summer time of year,
Come list without delay—if not shot you'll get your pay,
It wiltbe thirteen-pence a a day—what cheer,
And if you get a wound on the ground, I,ll volunteer,
You surely will be crowned says the young volunteer,

For if you stand the test for ever you'll be blest,
And peace O medals medals on your breast like stars will appear
Two wooden legs they'll send down to each wonded friend,
Tipt with silve the end for the young volunteer