Come all you lads of high renown and hear of a fair young maiden,
As she roved out on a summers day to view the soldiers parading,
They marched so bold and they looked so gay their colours flying and the bands did play,
And it caused young Mary for to say, 'I'll we'd you my galant solider.'

She viewed the soldiers on parade, stood their at their leisure,
And Mary to herself did say, 'At last I've found my treasure.
But oh how cruel my parents must be to vanish my darling away from me,
I'll leave them all and go with thee my bold undaunted soldiers.'

'Oh Mary dear your parents love, I pray you don't be unruly,
For when you're in a foreign land believe me you'll rue it surely,
Perhaps in battle I might fall, shot from an angry cannon ball,
And you so far from your daddy's hall, advised by a galant soldier.'

'I have fifty guineas in right gold and likewise a hearth thats burning,
I'll leave them all and go with you my bold undaunted soldier.
Don't say no but let me go and I will face the daring foe,
March together to and fro I'll wed you my gallant soldier.'

And when he saw her loyalty and Mary so true hearted,
he said my darling married we'll be and nothing but death will part us.
'When we're in a foreign land I'll guard you darling with my right hand,
and pray the God will stand a friend to Mary and her gallant soldier.'