What's the matter with you, me lass? And where's your dashing Jimmy?The soldier lads have picked him up, and now he's gone far from me.Last payday he went in the town, and them red-coated fellasenticed him in and made him drunk. He'd a better gone to the gallows.The very sight of his cockade, it set us all a-crying.And me, I nearly fainted twice. I thought that I was dying.Me father would have paid the smart and run for the golden guinea.But the sergeant swore he'd kissed the book, and now they've got young Jimmy.When Jimmy talks about the wars, it's worse than death to hear him.I have to go and hide me tears, for truth I cannot bear him.But I, he jives and cracks his jokes, and bids me not forsake him.By a brigadier or a grenadier, he says they're sure to make him.As I look toward the stubble fields, below it lies the sea,I thought of Jimmy hewing there, but that was all a dream.He healed the very coals we burn, and when the fire I'm lightin',To think the lumps was in his hands, why it sets my heart a-beatin'.So break my heart, and then it's o'er. I break my heart, my dearie.And I lie in the cold, cold ground, of a single life I'm weary.