Collected from the singing of: Unknown singer: Scotland; 1906 Willie Mathieson; Scotland Aberdeenshire; 1952 Tommy McCabe; Ireland County Monaghan; 1968
THE LASS THAT LEEVES NEXT DOOR. TUNE: “JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME"
Aw like the lass that leeves next door, They call her Nan Aw've often thowt the syem before, She wants a man, Ay an' Aw's the lad that wants a lass, An’ Aw think the time'll cum te pass When ye'll find Aw’s the lad for Nanny next door
For she teuk me heart when sittin' a' knitten' The time that Aw was smokin' an' spittin', An' ivvor since then the time it’s been flittin, Thro’ Nanny that leeves next door.
Aw'll nivvor forget the neet we met— One Tuesday neet— She was walkin’ oot wi’ me sister Bet Alang the street. An’ Aw kind o’ thowt — as she met me eye — She wes just the yen for a chep that’s shy: An’ Aw seun myed it reet Wi’ Nanny that leeves next door.
She kept us up se weel i’ talk Aw just sayd — “Yis” Or “No” — the time we had the walk, So ye may guess That Aw set hor hyem an’ myed luv on the way; But the neet wes nowt te the varry next day When Aw clapt ma eyes on hor Knittin’ beside the door.
She leukt at me wiv a pleesin’ smile, Aw leukt at hor; An’ puff’d me baccy aa'll the while Aside the door. Aw tell'd hor then whaat myed us sad An’ Aw axed hor wad she hev me for a lad; Man Aw stud like a feul, throo Nanny that leeves next door.
“Thor's plenty lads to get maw pet,” Ses she, te me: But a man’s not nigh se easy te get Indeed,” ses she. Ses Aw, an’ Aw laffed as Aw telt me plan— “Aw'll forst be yor lad an’ then yor man.” Ay, an ivvor since then Aw’ve follow’d the lass next door.
a Tyneside Music Hall song from the 1860s, written and performed by the star of the early Tyneside Halls Joe Wilson. Like many local Music Hall songs of this period, it was sung to a well known earlier tune, in this case When Johnny comes marching home (RN6673)
Modern performances: Dennis Weatherley, Frankie Armstrong,
AW WISH YOR MUTHER WAD CUM; OR, WOR GEORDY'S NOTIONS ABOOT MEN NURSIN' BAIRNS.
Tune—"The Whasslin' Theef."
"Cum, Geordy, haud the bairn, Aw's sure aw'll not stop lang; Aw'd tyek the jewel mesel, But really aw's not strang. Thor's floor and coals te get, The boose-turns thor not deun: So baud the bairn for fairs, Ye've often deund for fun!"
Then Geordy held the bairn' But sair agyen his will; The poor bit thing wes gud, But Geordy had ne skill: He haddint its muther's ways. He sat both stiff an' num; Before five minutes wes past He wish'd its muther wad cum.
His wife had scarcely gyen, The bairn began te squall, — Wi' hikin't up an' doon, He'd let the poor thing fall. It waddent haud its tung, Tho' sum aud teun he'd hum, — "Jack an' Jill went up a hill — Aw wish yor muther wad cum!"
"What weary toil," says he, "This nursin' bairns mun be; A bit on't's weel eneuf — Aye, quite eneuf for me. Te keep a cryin' bairn. It may be grand te sum; A day's wark's not as bad — Aw wish yor muther wad cum!
"Men seldum give a thowt Te what thor wives indure: Aw thowt she'd nowt te de But clean the hoose, aw's sure; Or myek me dinner an' tea — (It's startin' te chow its thumb: The poor thing wants its tit — Aw wish yor muther wad cum!)
"What a selfish world is this! Thor's nowt mair se than man: He laffs at wummin's toil, And winnet nurse his awn — (It's startin' te cry agyen : Aw see tuts throo its gum; Maw little bit pet, dinnet fret — Aw wish yor muther wad cum!)
"But kindness dis a vast; It's ne use getting vext: It winnet please the bairn. Or ease a mind perplext. At last, it's gyen te sleep, Me wife'll not say aw's num; She'll think aw's a real gud nurse — Aw wish yor muther wad cum!"
Joe Wilson. Author's Copy, 1863
A song which appeared in late 19th century song collections and broadsides but which doesn’t seem to have been collected from any traditional singers It does feature in the repertoire of several revival folk singers.
It was originally a Tyneside Music Hall song from the 1860s, written and performed by the star of the early Tyneside Halls Joe Wilson. Like many local Music Hall songs of this period, it was sung to a well known earlier tune, in this case The Whistling Thief, a theatre song from the 1850s written by Samuel Lover .
Collected from the singing of: Elliott, Peter; England, County Durham; 1963 Modern performances: The High Level Ranters, The Ian Campbell Folk Group, The Whiskey Priests
Thomas and George Allan (1891) Allan's illustrated edition of Tyneside songs and readings [archive.org]
Maw nyem is Geordy Black, aw'm gettin' varry awd, Aw've hewed tons o' coals i' maw time; An' when aw was yung, aw cud either put or hew, Oot o' uther lads aw always tyuk the shine. Aw'm gannin' doon the hill, aw cannet use the pick, The maister hes pity on aud bones; Aw'm noo on the bank; aw pass maw time away Amang the bits o' lads wi' pickin' oot the stones.
Maw nyem is Geordy Black,- in maw time aw've been a crack, Aw've worked byeth i' the Gyuss an' i' the Betty; An' the coals upon the Tyne oot o' uthers tyek the shine, An' we lick them a' for iron doon at Hawks's.
When aw was a bairn, carried on my fethur's back, He wad tyek me away te the pit; An' gettin' T the cage, an' gannin' doon belaw, Twas eneuf te myek a yungster tyek a fit. Te sit an' keep a door, 'midst darkness an' gloom, Ay, monny an 'oor be me-sel; An' hear the awful shots that rummel'd throo the pit, An' lumps o' roondy coal cum doon pell-mell.
Aw'll bid ye a' gud neet, it's nearly time te lowse; Aw shure aw've tried te please ye ivery one, Yung lads that's here the neet, mind de the thing that's reet, In this world that's the way te get on. But here's success to trade, byeth on the Wear an' Tees! Aw dinnet like te see places slack; For if wor pit lies idle, ne coal cums te day, It greeves the heart o' poor Geordy Black.
A song which originated in the Tyneside Music Halls, originally written and performed by Roland Harrison. It has not been widely collected from traditional singers but nonetheless features in the repertoire of a significant number of revival folk singers from the North East.
Rowland Harrison (1841-1897) was an extremely popular performer and songwriter in the Halls of North East England. Reputed to only perform his own songs, he was a “character comedian” – singing songs dressed and acting in character. His career was mostly confined to the North East, with occasional appearances as far away as Scarborough, Edinburgh and Rotherham. His songs appeared regularly in the songbooks printed by local publisher Thomas Allan:
Morpeth Herald – 22 Nov 1873
This engraving (by Joe Wilson) is of Harrison in character as Geordy Black, a song he was singing as early as 1871, but which seems to have first been published in 1872. A review of one of his performances is given below:
CONCERT AT WILLINGTON QUAY
On Monday night, a most successful concert came off in the Volunteers’ Drill-Shed. The affair had been got up in the interests of the Mechanics’ Institute, and we had much pleasure in seeing such a large audience …… For the first time, we had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Rowland Harrison, and were perfectly satisfied, that the fame attained by the local bard is just and well-merited. His get-up of “Geordie Black,” an old pitman of fully three score years and ten, was an immense hit, and exhibited the author’s consummate knowledge of pitmen and pit life. The boast of Tyneside colliers was happily expressed. in the following portion of the refrain:
“And the coals upon the Tyne Oot iv others take the shine; And we lick them aw fur iron doon at Hawks’s.”
It was to be expected that the audience would not let the bard clear with one appearance, and when he came again upon the boards, we were surprised at the transformation. He was now a fresh young man, and told us how he had won the heart of “The bonniest lass i’ Shields.” His recital of the dialogues in this piece were really good, and gave great delight to the company. …. most of the performers took part in the second division of the programme, Mr. Harrison singing no less than three pieces in succession — “ Drum Major,” “Death of Jamie Renforth,” and ” Dinnet gan in on strike”
Jarrow Guardian and Tyneside Reporter – 02 Mar 1872
We don’t know what tune Harrison sang it to – all modern recorded versions seem to either use one written by Dave Swarbrick for the Ian Campbell Group or a livelier one written by Johnny Handle for The High Level Ranters.
The Ian Campbell group sing it to the Swarbrick tune:
Collected from the singing of: McGuckin, Vincent ; Canada : Nova Scotia ; 1944 Unidentified singers ; USA: California ; 1965 Modern performances: Alex Glasgow, The Jeffersons, Isla Cameron, Louis Killen, Bob Tavenport, High Level Ranters
From Joe Wilson's Tyneside songs, ballads and drolleries Part 2 (c1866) quoted in Dave Harker's The Gallowgate Lad p24:
Keep yor feet still!
Wor Geordey an' Bob Johnson byeth lay i' one bed Iv a, little lodjin hoose that's doon the shore, Before Bob had been an' oor asleep, a kick frae Geordey's fut Myed him wakin up te roar instead o' snore.
"Keep yor feet still! Georday, hinny, let's be happy for the neat For aw maynit be so happy throo the day, So give us that bit cumfort,— keep yor foot still Geordey lad, An' dinnet send maw bonny dreams away!"
Aw dreamt thor wes a dancin held, an' Mary Clark wes there An' aw thowt we tript it leetly on the floor, An' aw prest her heevin breest to mine when walsin roond the room, That's mair then aw dor ivor de before.
Ye'll knaw the lad that she gans with, they call him Jimmy Green, Aw thowt he tried te spoil us i' wor fun, But aw dreamt aw nail'd him heavy, an' blackt the big feul's eyes If aw'd slept it's hard te tell what aw wad deun.
Aw thowt ow set her hyem that neet, content we went alang Aw kiss'd her lips a hundrid times or mair, An' aw wish'd the road wad nivor end, se happy like wes aw, Aw cud walk'd a thoosind miles wi' Mary there!
Am dreamt Jim Green had left the toon an' left his luv te me An' aw thowt the hoose wis furnished wi' the best, An' aw dreamt aw just had left the church wi' Mary be me side When yor clumsy feet completely spoil'd the rest!"
A famous Tyneside Music Hall song from the late 1860s, written and performed by the star of the early Tyneside Halls Joe Wilson. Like many local Music Hall songs of this period, it was sung to the tune of a well known earlier song, in this case, the American anti-slavery song Darling Nelly Gray (1856). The American tune in turn seems to be related to the well-known Liverpool song Maggie May (RN1757).
Joe Wilson’s song is widely remembered and has been performed by many revival folk singers from the North East of the UK and internationally. Here’s Louis Killen singing it:
Collected from the singing of: Brown, Tom; England : Norfolk; 1979 Hill, Charlie ; England : Devon ; 1980
Into a railway station crept a little child one night; The last train was just leaving and the bustle at its height. The stationmaster standing there looked down with wond’ring eyes Upon this little maid so frail in form, so small in size. "Where is your father little one? Are you alone," he cried With tearful eyes she looked up in his face and thus replied,
Give me a ticket to Heaven; That's where dad's gone, they say. He'll be so lonely without me, Traveling all that way. Mother died when I was born, sir, And left dad and me all alone; So give me a ticket to Heaven, please, Before the last train is gone
My daddy worked upon the line; but when I went tonight To take his tea, he lay there on a shutter, oh so white. Then to a great big building, his mates carried him away. "He's booked for heaven, poor old Dick!" I heard one of them say A station this must be. I thought to find the train I'd wait, But finding none I ran on here. I hope I'm not too late.
The station master said: "Come little one, I'll see you right. A ticket to your father you shall have this very night." He took her to the hospital; they let her see her dad. Though injured, he had not been killed, and oh her heart was glad. Then turning to that kind friend who had brought her all the way, She said: "If I lose dad again, I'll come to you and say:"
A sentimental Edwardian song extremely popular with amateur singers in the early 20th century and performed in numerous respectable concerts. It was recorded several times in the early 1900s but I can find no contemporary evidence of it being sung in a Music Hall or variety theatre.
It was perhaps mistakenly remembered as a “Music Hall song” for the TV program The Good Old Days (see 2nd video below) and published in at least one late 20th century collection of Music Hall songs.
Recorded by Herbert Payne in 1902:
Performed by professional opera singer Benjamin Luxon for The good old days in 1978:
Collected from the singing of: O’Brien, Paddy ; Australia : New South Wales ; 1984
Old Uncle Ben, he's been at it again! Old Uncle Benjamin's a rascal! Says he: "When I see a little flapper, I feel just as though I want to slap her! Some like the queen who is sweet seventeen, But I've got no eyes for her. Although she's young and tender, Fair and innocent and slender, She's not the kind that I prefer:
“I like em! I like em when they're fair, fat and forty When they're fair fat and forty, they are fine! I like em! I like em! when they're nice and per-lump! Your giddy little flapper only gives me the hump. I like em! I like em when they're young enough to cuddle, And old enough to stay out after nine. No I don't want two of twenty One of forty will be plenty When they're fair, fat and forty they are fine!
“I like em! I like em when they're fair, fat and forty When they're fair fat and forty, they are fine! I like em! I like em! when they're nice and per-lump! Your giddy little flapper only gives me the hump. I like em! I like em when they're young enough to cuddle, And old enough to stay out after nine. No I don't want two of twenty One of forty will be plenty When they're fair, fat and forty they are fine!
He will declare, “Though she may have grey hair, What does it matter if her heart's young? For lamb I have never been a glutton, There's more flavour in it when it's mutton. Give me the fat girl they show at the fair; Squeezing her I'll show my skill. If one arm will not go round That young lady from the show ground Then damn it sir my two arms will!
“I like em! I like em when they're fair, fat and forty When they're fair fat and forty, they are fine! I like em! I like em! when they're nice and per-lump! Your giddy little flapper only gives me the hump. I like em! I like em when they're young enough to cuddle, And old enough to stay out after nine. When the slender and they're lissom When you smack at them you miss em When they're fair, fat and forty they are fine!
“I like em! I like em when they're fair, fat and forty When they're fair fat and forty, they are fine! I like em! I like em! when they're nice and per-lump! Your giddy little flapper only gives me the hump. I like em! I like em when they're young enough to cuddle, And old enough to stay out after nine. Though at sixty they look flighty In an old red flannel nightie When they're fair, fat and forty they are fine!
“One girl,” said he, "gave the glad eye to me, Her age was eighteen last November." Said Ben, "I would rather kiss your mater Your turn comes twenty two years later. Girls they are peaches, but when they are green, They are no use as an old man's wife. If any silly duffer Picks a south peach he'll suffer With collie wobbles all his life
“I like em! I like em when they're fair, fat and forty When they're fair fat and forty, they are fine! I like em! I like em! when they're nice and per-lump! Your giddy little flapper only gives me the hump. I like em! I like em when they're young enough to cuddle, And old enough to stay out after nine. Though at ninety they're all gristle If they try to kiss they whistle When they're fair, fat and forty they are fine!
“I like em! I like em when they're fair, fat and forty When they're fair fat and forty, they are fine! I like em! I like em! when they're nice and per-lump! Your giddy little flapper only gives me the hump. I like em! I like em when they're young enough to cuddle, And old enough to stay out after nine. Though at ninety they lack fire Are they puff like Fords that backfire When they're fair, fat and forty they are fine!
Australian collector John Meredith collected a snatch of this song (its chorus) from the singing of Paddy O’Brien in New South Wales – Paddy got it from the singing of his brother, who he assumed had written it. You can hear it here: National Library of Australia digitised item.
Lyrics and Sheet Music: Weston, R. P. (Robert P. ), Lee, B., & Cunliffe, W. (1920). Fair, fat and forty : I like ’em! I like ’em! Francis, Day & Hunter. [Bodleian Mediated copying]
Collected from the singing of: Puckett, Riley USA : Georgia ; 1924 Knieriem, Mrs. J.J. ; USA : Iowa : 1931 Holder, Mrs. Nellie ; E. USA : Iowa : 1931 Unknown ; USA : Iowa : 1931 Kahn, Mrs. Fred ; USA : Iowa : 1931 Byrnes, Mrs. Wilbur ; USA : Iowa : 1931 Hufford, Miss Mildred USA : Virginia : 1932 Mainer, Wade / Morris, Zeke ; USA : N. Carolina : 1936 Spann, Mrs. S.R. ; USA : Florida ; 1940 Laing, Mrs. Ash ; USA : Virginia : 1942 Mullenix, Mrs. H. A. ; USA : Arkansas : 1942 Klinger, Mrs. W.M. ; USA : Arkansas : 1954 Everly, Gladys ; USA : Missouri :1958 Stewart, Lucy; Scotland : Aberdeenshire ; 1960 Moore, Robert Kennon ; USA : Arkansas : 1960 Martin, Mrs. Montie ; USA : Arkansas : 1962 Kincaid, Bradley .; USA : Kentucky ; 1963 Lane, Arthur ; England : Shropshire : 1965 McInerney, Alfie ; Ireland; County Clare: 1972 Ryder, Mr. E.C. ; England : Hampshire : 1982 Cooper, Bernice ; Australia : New South Wales : 1990 Ridlen, Doris Omega ; USA : Illinois : no date Mason, W.F. ; USA : Tennessee : no date
After the din of the battle's roar, Just at the close of day, Wounded and bleeding lay upon the field, Two dying soldiers lay. One held a ringlet of thin grey hair, One held a lock of brown, Bidding each other a last farewell, Just as the sun went down.
One thought of mother at home, alone, Feeble, old, and grey, One of the sweetheart he'd left in town, Happy, young, and gay. One kissed the ringlet of thin grey hair, One kissed the lock of brown, Bidding farewell to the Stars and Stripes [dear old flag]* Just as the sun went down.
One knew the joy of a mother's love, One of a sweetheart fair, Thinking of home, they lay side by side, Breathing a farewell prayer, One for his mother so old and grey, One for his love in town. They closed their eyes to the earth and skies, Just as the sun went down.
[Additional verse written by Harry Wright]* Then came the news from a comrade's lips' One who'd survived the fight; Sweetheart and mother were listening there, Oh, what a pitiful site. Two hearts nigh broken - two noble lives lost, Fighting, defending the Crown, Still they were proud of the heroes who died, Just as the sun went down.
* British version
This sentimental patriotic song has been collected over 20 times from traditional singers all over the English-speaking world, though American versions are by far the most common. It originated in the late 1890s, one of a number of songs written for the short lived Spanish American war of 1898 which were successfully re-marketed by British and American publishers at the time of the second Boer War (1899 to 1902) – see Break the News to Mother.
The original American song was written and composed by Lyn Udall, the pen name of John Henry Keeting (1870-1942) who in a 12 month period wrote several songs which achieved sheet music sales of over a million: I Love to See My Poor Old Mother Work; Just as the Sun Went Down; Just One Girl; Stay in Your Own Back Yard; and Zizzy Zee Zum Zum. He often worked with lyricist Karl Kennet who is sometimes mistakenly credited with writing the words for this song.
The song was re-published in the UK in 1899 by Charles Sheard in slightly amended form and was sung by Nellie Gannon with an additional verse by her husband Harry Wright.
English Traditional singer Mr EC Ryder sings the song as amended by Harry Wright, while Lucy Stewart, the prominent Traditional singer from the Scottish traveller community sings the American version (available at Tobar an Dualchais / Kist o Riches website).
American Traditional singers sing lyrics derived from the original, which remained a popular song in the USA into the late 1920s and beyond – for example it was performed by several barbershop quartets.
In the late 1890s and early 1900s the Salvation Army Often Borrowed music hall tunes to use as backing for their evangelical songs. Brigadier JC Addie’s Just as the sun went down appears in One hundred favorite songs and music of the Salvation Army (1899, see archive.org)
Neither song should to be confused with the 1922 hymn of the same name by JT Eley (see hymnary.org). It became a Christian Bluegrass standard, you can hear a version on YouTube by James King)
A number of contemporary recordings were made, here’s one by JW Myers:
Lyrics and UK Sheet Music: Udall, L., Gannon, N., Wright, H., & Banks, H. G. (1898). Just as the sun went down : a pathetic incident of war time. Charles Sheard & Co. [Bodleian mediated copying]
Collected from the singing of: [Tinker Child] ; Scotland ; 1906 Scott, Harry ; England : Hertfordshire ; 1946-68
It’s nice to have a home of your own.
On Sunday evening when the weather's fine, The wife an you have both got on your best, The youngsters are in bed then you go out for a walk, And look at lots of mansions down the West, Sometimes it makes you wish that you were rich, And you havn't got to go to work each day, But when you think of others who have'nt got a home, You turn round to the Missis and you say
It's nice to have a home of your own, And sit by your own fireside, You've only got a table and a chair, It‘s all yours and you're welcome there, You're as good as anybody in the land, As happy as a king upon his throne, What more do you want when you've got the wife and children, And a nice little home of your own,
In the winter when the nights are long, You sit round by the fire and have your tea, The missus lights the lamp she then pulls down the blind, The youngsters start climbing on your knee, It's nice to hear them call you 'Daddy dear', There's no love in the world go good as theirs, And when they start telling you what they learn at school, You quite forget your troubles and your cares,
Now sometimes misfortunes come along, Well, trade is bad and things look very black, Don't it cheer you up when you hear your little wife, Tell you not to worry, 'cheer up Jack!' It fairly puts a new heart in a man, You say there's something after all in life, When you think to yourself that things are 'not so bad,' When you look round at your children and you're wife
A sentimental song popularised by the comedian Harry Anderson, who was better known for comic drinking songs.
Collected from the singing of: British Soldiers, 1920s Kane, Alice N. Ireland : Belfast / Canada : Ontario : Toronto; no date Modern performances:Various stage productions of Joan Littlewood’s Oh! What a lovely war! and the 1969 film; The Humblebums (featuring Billy Connolly)
GOOD-BYE-EE Written and Composed by RP Weston and Bert Lee
Brother Bertie went away To do his bit the other day. With a smile on his lips And his lieutenant pips Upon his shoulder, bright and gay. As the train moved out he said, "Remember me to all the birds", Then he wagged his paw And went off to war, Shouting out these pathetic words:
Goodbye-ee! Goodbye-ee! Wipe the tear, baby dear, from your eye-ee. Though it's hard to part I know, I'll be tickled to death to go! Don't cry-ee, don't sigh-ee, There's a silver lining in the sky-ee! Bonsoir old thing, cheerio, chin-chin, Nah-poo, toodle-oo, goodbye-ee!
Marmaduke Horatio Flynn, Although he'd whiskers round his chin, In a play took a part, And he touch'd ev'ry heart As little Willie in "East Lynne". As the little dying child Upon his snow white bed he lay And amid their tears the people gave three cheers When he said as he pass'd away:
At the concert down at Kew, The convalescents dressed in blue, Had to hear Lady Lee, Who had turned eighty three, Sing the old old songs she knew. Then she made a speech and said, "I look upon you boys with pride, And for what you've done I'm going to kiss each one!" They they all grabb'd their sticks and cried:
Little Private Patrick Shaw, He was a prisoner of war, Till the Hun with a gun Called him "pig dog" for fun, Then Paddy punched him on the jaw! Right across the barbed wire fence, The German dropped, then, dear oh dear! All the wire gave way And Paddy yelled "hooray!", As he ran for the Dutch frontier!
Good-bye-ee was a catch phrase of the popular comedian Harry Tate and the title of a revue he toured in spring 1917. The story goes that Weston and Lee heard a crowd of factory girls shouting Tate’s catchphrase at a regiment of soldiers marching off to Victoria Station and this inspired them to write the song.
It featured in the repertoire of a number of Music Hall performers, most notably Florrie Forde, Charles R Whittle and Daisy Wood.
A 1917 recording by Florrie Forde:
The Humblebums (featuring Billy Connolly), recorded in 1969:
Collected from the singing of: Johnson, Miss Clara L. ; USA : Illinois : 1909 Spann, Mrs. S.R. ; USA : Florida / Texas 1940 Fraser, George Inglis ; Scotland : Aberdeenshire : 1959 Tranter, Walter ; Australia : : Paterson Valley 1980s
"I have come to say goodbye, Dolly Gray. It's no use to ask me why, Dolly Gray; There's a murmur in the air, you can hear it ev'rywhere, It is the time to do and dare, Dolly Gray. Don't you hear the tramp of feet, Dolly Gray Sounding thro' the village street, Dolly Gray 'Tis the tramp of soldiers' true in their uniforms of blue, I must say goodbye to you, Dolly Gray!
Goodbye Dolly I must leave you, Tho' it breaks my heart to go; Something tells me I am needed at the front to fight the foe See - the boys in blue are marching And I can no longer stay, Hark - I hear the bugle calling, Goodbye Dolly Gray!
Hear the rolling of the drums, Dolly Gray Back from war the reg'ment comes, Dolly Gray On your lovely face so fair, I can see a look of fear For your soldier boy's not there, Dolly Gray For the one you love so well, Dolly Gray In the midst of battle fell, Dolly Gray With his face toward the foe, as he died he murmured low, "I must say goodbye and go, Dolly Gray!"
An early Tin Pan Alley song – one of a number of patriotic American songs written for the short Spanish-American war of 1898 which became associated in Britain with the 2nd Boer War (1899-1902) – more on this at Break the News to Mother
