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He pull'd his hand out of his bosom,
his fingers being long and small;
He shew'd the ring that was broke between them—
no sooner she saw it, than down did fall.

He took her up into his arms,
and gave her kisses, one, two, by three;
I am your poor and single sailor,
that's just return'd to marry thee.

So, hand in hand, they went together,
unto the church without delay,
Where there he marry'd his lovely Sally,
and made her his lady gay.

Text divider from 'The Sailor's Return' a chapbook printed in Glasgow in 1806

THE FEMALE SOLDIER.

When I was a young girl, at the age of fifteen,
I was courted by a young man most rare to be seen;
But now to my grief, for a soldier he's gone,
And what to do for my love I will make known.

I dress'd myself up in some men's array,
And went to the captain without more delay,
Where I listed myself for a drummer so strong,
In the very same regiment where my love belong'd.

The very next morning the route it came,
That the same rigment to Jamaica was bound;
And over the plain as we marched along,
I charmed my love by the sound of the drum.

Beat up my little drummer, the colonel reply'd,
You shall be advanc'd from a drummer this day;
The very next day a lieutenant I was made,
For to handle my pen I never was afraid.

The very next day my love's trial came on,
For missing of his duty, as you may understand,