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The Scarlet and the Blue

Date 1965
Track ID 28056
Part 1

Track Information

Original Track ID

SA1965.159.B14

Original Tape ID

SA1965.159

Summary

In this song, a Irish ploughman tires of his lifestyle and decides to enlist in the British Army; he praises the "scarlet and the blue" [the colours of the Union Jack], and recalls that "The watchword of a soldier is: 'We'll conquer or we'll die!'" His one regret is leaving behind his sweetheart, whom he hopes to marry on his return.

The contributor recalls that the song became popular in the bothies during the First World War, though it may have been older than that.

Item Notes

3 verses of 4 lines with a chorus of 4 lines.

Both Roy Palmer and John Howson attribute this song to John J. Blockley in the 1870s.

'Off To Dublin In The Green' is an Irish republican parody of this song.

See:
'The Rambling Soldier' (R. Palmer, 1977) pp. 59-60
'Songs Sung in Suffolk' CD with sleevenotes by John Howson (Veteran, 2001) p. 128

Recording Location

County - Berwickshire

Parish - Coldingham

Village/Place - Coldingham

Language

English

Collection

SoSS

Classification

R163

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Fair