"What's the matter with you, me lass, and where's your dashing Jimmy?"
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"Them soldier boys have picked him up and taken him far from me
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Last pay-day he went into town and them red-coated fellows,
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Enticed him in and made him drunk, and he'd better gone to the gallows.
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The very sight of his cockade, it sets us all a-cryin', And me, I nearly fainted twice - I thought that I was dyin'
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Me father said he'd pay the smart and he'd run for the Golden Guinea,
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But the sergeant swore he'd kissed the book, so now they've got young Jimmy.
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When Jimmy talks about the wars, it's worse than death to hear him.
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I must go out and hide me tears, because I cannot bear him.
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A Brigadier or a Grenadier he says they're sure to make him,
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So now he jibes and cracks his jokes and bids me not forsake him.
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As I walked o'er yon stubbled field - below where runs the seam,
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I think on Jimmy hewing there, but it was all a dream.
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He hewed the very coils we burn, so when this fire I'm leetin',
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To think the lumps was in his hands - it sets me heart a-beating'.
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So break me heart and then it's o'er, oh break me heart, me dearie,
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-----------------
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The Recruited Collier
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Kate Rusby |