The Collier Recruit Lyrics

Kate Rusby The Collier Recruit

What's the matter with you, me lass, and where's your
dashing Jimmy?"
"Them soldier boys have picked him up and taken him far
from me
Last pay-day he went into town and them red-coated
fellows,
Enticed him in and made him drunk, and he'd better gone
to the gallows.

The very sight of his cockade, it sets us all a-cryin',
And me, I nearly fainted twice - I thought that I was
dyin'
Me father said he'd pay the smart and he'd run for the
Golden Guinea,
But the sergeant swore he'd kissed the book, so now
they've got young Jimmy.

When Jimmy talks about the wars, it's worse than death
to hear him.
I must go out and hide me tears, because I cannot bear
him.
A Brigadier or a Grenadier he says they're sure to make
him,
So now he jibes and cracks his jokes and bids me not
forsake him.

As I walked o'er yon stubbled field - below where runs
the seam,
I think on Jimmy hewing there, but it was all a dream.
He hewed the very coils we burn, so when this fire I'm
leetin',
To think the lumps was in his hands - it sets me heart
a-beating'.

So break me heart and then it's o'er, oh break me
heart, me dearie,
As I lie in this cold, cold bed, of a single life I'm
weary