Cat. #0445 (MFH #511) - As sung by Mr. William Edens, Mont Ne, Arkansas on January 20, 1960
VERSE 1
A pretty fair maid in yonders garden
A jolly young soldier, came riding by
Saying, pretty fair Miss, will you marry a soldier
O no, kind sir, it was th reply
VERSE 2
I have a true love, gone into th war
At four long years has been gone, from me
An' if he's gone, a four years longer
No man on earth, can marry me
VERSE 3
Perhaps your true love are drownded
Or in some battle an' slain
Perhaps, he's come 'cross some fair girl married
If he is drowned, I hope he's happy
Or in some bat-tle an' slain
An' if he's come 'cross some girl married
I love th girl that married him
VERSE 4 He ran his hands into his pocket
His fingers grew both light an' small
He drew out th ring that 'e wore, between them
An' at this thing, O she did fall
VERSE 5
He picked it up in his arms an' kissed her
He kissed her once't, yes two, three
Saying, pretty fair maid, I am the soldier
Returning home, to marry thee