Folk and Traditional Song Lyrics:
Pretty Peggy of Derby O
Pretty Peggy of Derby, O
Pretty Peggy of Derby, O
There was a regiment of Irish Dragoons,
And they were (all quartered in) Derby, O. [all marching to]
The Captain fell in love
with a pretty chamber-maid,
And her name it was called pretty Peggy, O.
Oh! come down the stairs pretty (Peggy, my dear,) [Peggy, O]
Oh, come down the stairs pretty Peggy O,
O come down the stairs
and comb back my hair
And take the last farewell of your darling O.
I tell you now as I told you before
And for what should you teaze me any more
What will your Mammy think
when she hears (the Guineas clink), [you are sick]
And the hautboys are playing before you go.
A soldier's Wife I never will be,
And a soldier shall never lay in bed with me,
For I will make him stand
with his hat in his hand
When he stands in the presence of my company.
Then spoke his brother, a stout young man,
A valiant soldier as he was [incomplete, as was in the land?
Saying, if she'll not go,
we shall have sweethearts anew
When we come to the Town of killarny O. [no cap.]
When we come to the water that runs so clear
That joins the town of Killarney O,
The Captain did sigh and (say), [said]
We are many miles away,
Here's a health to the pretty Girl of Derby O.
When they did come to the last town,
The town they call Killarny O,
His name was Captain Wade,
& he died for a maid
And he died for the pretty girl of Derby O.
See note file
WBO
Apr98