The Scarlet and the Blue
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1965.159.B14
Original Tape ID
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
Genre
Collection
Classification
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Fair