The Girl I Left Behind Me/The Answer

by Anonymous

THE ANSWER.

YOU maidens all come pity me,
 and be no more disdaining,
My love unto the war is gone,
 and left me here complaining;
For now he’s march’d out of the land,
 and I am still repining,
Into some distant land I’ll go,
 to see whether I can find him.

Or in some silent shade I’ll go,
 to shelter all my mourning,
The tears ran trickling from her eyes,
 with grief both night and morning;
The tales of love he told to me,
 he never would deceive me,
It was this cruel, cruel war,
 that caused him to leave me.

Although the storm e’er so strong,
 and cannons loudly rattle,
I’ll go to see for my true love,
 into the field of battle,
And if my true love should be slain,
 so boldly I’ll succeed him,
To fight with gun and sword in hand;
 whilst my love lies a bleeding.

But if alive I should remain,
 and him whom I adore,
I’ll bless the day I sail’d away,
 to see my love once more;
The drums and trumpet’s sweetly sound,
 and cannons loudly roar,
To fight against the Gallic Cocks,
 until the wars are o’er.

So may kind heaven be my friend,
 and send the wars soon at an end,
That lads may see their homes again,
 and maids their loves once more;
Success unto my own true love,
 and ever may I find him;
As true unto his dearest dear,
 as the girl he left behind him.