Dumbarton Drums

Dumbarton's drums beat bonny - O
When they mind me of my dear Jonny - O
How happy am I,
When my soldier is by,
While 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 feel 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 nor gaudy - 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 or the king;
For every other care is but slavery - O

Then I'll be the captain's lady - O
Farewell all my friends and my daddy - 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 sound bonny - O
They are sprightly like my dear Jonny - O
How happy shall I be,
When on my soldier's knee,
And he kisses and blesses his Annie - O

Across the fields o' boundin' heather
Dumbarton tolls the hour of pleasure,
A song of love that's without measure
When Johnnie sings his sangs tae me.

Chorus

'Tis he alone that can delight me
His rovin' eye, it doth invite me,
And when his tender arms enfold me
The blackest night doth turn and flee.

Chorus

My Johnnie is a handsome laddie
And though he is Dumbarton's caddie,
Some day I'll be a captain's lady
When Johnnie tends his vows tae me.

Chorus