Classic Poem

D UMBARTON'S drums beat bonnie-o,
For they mind me of my dear Johnnie-o,
How happy am I,
When my soldier is by,
When he kisses and blesses his Annie-o.

'Tis a soldier alone can delight me-o,
For his graceful looks do invite me-o:
While guarded in his arms,
I'll fear no war's alarms,
Neither danger nor death shall e'er fright me-o.

My love is a handsome laddie-o,
Genteel, but never foppish or gaudie-o;
Though commissions are dear,
Yet I'll buy him one this year;
For he shall serve no longer a cadie-o.

A soldier has honour and bravery-o,
Unacquainted with rogues and their knavery-o;
He minds no other thing,
But the ladies and his king;
For every other care is but slavery-o.

Then I'll be the captain's lady-o;
Farewell all my friends and my daddie-o;
I'll wait no more at home,
But I'll follow with the drum,
And whene'er that beats I'll be ready-o.

Dumbarton's drums beat bonnie-o,
They are sprightly like my dear Johnnie-o;
How happy I shall be
When on my soldier's knee,
He kisses and blesses his Annie-o!