The White Cockade

Words and music are in The Copper Family Song Book.

'Twas on one summer's morning as my love walked over the plain,
He had no thought of enlisting when a soldier to him came,
Who so kindly invited him to drink the ale that's brown,
He advanced, he advanced, he advanced him a shilling
All to fight for the Crown.

So now my love has enlisted and he wears a white cockade,
He is a handsome young man, likewise a roving blade,
He is a handsome young man and he's going to serve the King,
Oh, my very, oh, my very, oh, my very heart is breaking
All for the loss of him.

Oh, may he never prosper and may he never thrive
With anything he takes in hand, this world while he's alive,
May the very ground he walks upon the grass refuse to grow,
Since he's being, since he's being, since he's being the only cause of
My sorrow, grief and woe.

He pulled out his pocket handkerchief to wipe her flowing tears,
He said, My dear, dry up those tears likewise those mournful sighs,
Be you of good courage stout and bold while I march over the plain,
Then I'll marry, then I'll marry, then I'll marry you, my dearest,
When I return again.