| Version 2 Play/Download Music File Barry Taylor Play/Download Music File John Renfro Davis |
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Much folklore has arisen regarding this tune. One source states the tune was popular as far back as Queen Elizabeth's (Elizabeth I) reign and was played whenever a regiment left town or a man-of-war set sail. Another theory is that the tune originated in 1758 when Admiral's Hawke and Rodney were watching the French fleet off the coast.* Theodore Ralph (see citation below) writes that the tune was known in America as early as 1650 and indicates it was a traditional fife tune, imported from England as Brighten Camp. The tune became generally popular during the Revolution. The tune was known in Ireland as The Rambling Laborer and The Spailpin Fanach and was first published in Dublin in 1791. These words are from Songs of the Seventh Cavalry (see also Gary Owen) There is another version of lyrics at The Girl I Left Behind Me (1). The tune was also used for lyrics to a drinking song, Waxie's Dargle. There are several more versions at the Digital Tradition Folk Song Search. |
The hours sad I left a maid A lingering farewell taking Whose sighs and tears my steps delayed I thought her heart was breaking In hurried words her name I blest I breathed the vows that bind me And to my heart in anguish pressed The girl I left behind me Then to the east we bore away To win a name in story And there where dawns the sun of day There dawned our sun of glory The place in my sight When in the host assigned me I shared the glory of that fight Sweet girl I left behind me Though many a name our banner bore Of former deeds of daring But they were of the day of yore In which we had no sharing But now our laurels freshly won With the old one shall entwine me Singing worthy of our size each son Sweet girl I left behind me The hope of final victory Within my bosom burning Is mingling with sweet thoughts of thee And of my fond returning But should I n'eer return again Still with thy love i'll bind me Dishonors breath shall never stain The name I leave behind me |
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From The American Song Treasury and Best Loved Songs of The American People and *Folk Songs of Old New England See Bibliography for full information. |
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