When wild war’s deadly blast was blawn,
And gentle peace returning,
Wi’ mony a sweet babe fatherless,
And mony a widow mourning;
I left the lines and tented field,
Where langI’d been a lodger,
My humble knapsack a’my wealth,
A poor and honest sodger.

A leal, light heart was in my breast,
My hand unstain’d wi’ plunder;
And for fair Scotia hameagain,
I cheery on did wander:
I thought upon the banks o’Coil,
I thought upon my Nancy,
I thought upon the witching smile
That caught my youthful fancy.

At length I reach’d the bonieglen,
Where early life I sported;
I pass’d the mill and trystingthorn,
Where Nancy aftI courted:
Whaspied I but my ain dear maid,
Down by her mother’s dwelling!
And turn’d me round to hide the flood
That in my eenwas swelling.

Wi’alter’d voice, quoth I, “Sweet lass,
Sweet as yon hawthorn’s blossom,
O! happy, happy may he be,
That’s dearest to thy bosom:
My purse is light, I’ve far to gang,
And fainwould be thy lodger;
I’ve serv’d my king and country lang-
Take pity on a sodger.”

Saewistfully she gaz’d on me,
And lovelier was than ever;
Quo’ she, “A sodger anceI lo’ed,
Forget him shall I never:
Our humble cot, and hamely fare,
Ye freely shall partake it;
That gallant badge-the dear cockade,
Ye’re welcome for the sake o’t.”

She gaz’d-she redden’d like a rose –
Synepale like only lily;
She sank within my arms, and cried,
“Art thou my aindear Willie?”
“By him who made yonsun and sky!
Bywhom true love’s regarded,
I am the man; and thus may still
True lovers be rewarded.

“The wars are o’er, and I’m come hame,
And find thee still true-hearted;
Tho’ poor in gear, we’re rich in love,
And mairwe’sene’er be parted.”
Quo’she, “My grandsire left me gowd,
A mailenplenish’dfairly;
And come, my faithfu’ sodger lad,
Thou’rt welcome to it dearly!”

For gold the merchant ploughs the main,
The farmer ploughs the manor;
Butglory is the sodger’s prize,
The sodgerpppp’s wealth is honor:
The brave poor sodgerne’er despise,
Nor count him as a stranger;
Remember he’s his country’s stay,
In day and hour of danger.

Versicles, A.D. 1793