| First voice.— | "Soldier, soldier, will you marry me, |
| With a knapsack, fife, and drum?" | |
| "Oh no, my pretty maiden, I cannot marry you, | |
| For I have no coat to put on." |
| Second voice.— | Then away she ran to the tailor's shop, |
| As fast as legs could run; | |
| And bought him one of the very best, | |
| And the soldier put it on. |
The question is then repeated, the soldier pleading his want of shoes gloves, etc., which the confiding fair procures, until at last—
"Soldier, soldier, will you marry me,
With your knapsack, fife, and drum?"
"Oh no, my pretty maiden, I cannot marry you,
For I have—a good wife—at home!"
This piece and the following are more or less familiar as children's songs through the United States. Our version was sung by children of from five to eight years of age, and made a favorite amusement at the afternoon gatherings. When one couple had finished, another pair would begin, and so on for hours at a time. The object was to provide for the soldier the most varied wardrobe possible; while the maiden put the question with spirit, laying her hand on her heart, respecting which the prevailing opinion was that it was under the left arm.
No. 31.
Quaker Courtship.
In this piece, two children (in costume or otherwise) impersonate a Quaker paying his addresses to a young lady of the world.