Oh abroad as I was walking,
I was walking all alone,
When I heard a couple talking
As they walked all alone.
Said the young one to the fair one:
"Bonnie la** I must away,
For the king he has commanded us
And his orders I must obey."
"Oh 'tis not what you promised me
When first you did me beguile,
For you promised you would marry me
If you got me with child.
So it's do not forsake but pity on me take,
For great is my woe,
And through France, Spain and even Ireland,
It's along with you I'll go."
"Oh those long and the weary travellings,
Love, will cause you for to weep,
And the hills and the lofty mountains
They will blister your tender feet.
And besides, you will not yield to lie out
In the field with me the whole night long,
And your parents would be angry
If along with me you should come."
"Oh my friends I do not value
And my foes, oh I do not fear,
For along with my jolly soldier boy
I will ramble far and near.
Neither gold nor man shall deceive me
But along with you I'll go
For to fight the French and the Spaniards
Or any other daring foe."
"Well, since you prove so venturesome
As to venture your sweet life,
First of all I will marry you
And make you my lawful wife.
And if anyone shall offend you,
I'll attend you, that you'll see,
And you'll hear the drums and the trumpet sound
In the wars of High Germany."