Poor Soldier (I)

DESCRIPTION: "All out in the snow they are tonight, Far away from kin and home. God help the ones who fight for the right, And them who are done gone on. Poor soldier, hungry and cold (x2)." The girl recalls her soldier's departure and prays he is safe wherever he is
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1959 (Warner-TraditionalAmericanFolkSongsFromAnneAndFrankWarnerColl)
KEYWORDS: soldier separation nonballad
FOUND IN: US(SE)
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Warner-TraditionalAmericanFolkSongsFromAnneAndFrankWarnerColl 132, "Poor Soldier" (1 text, 1 tune)
ST Wa132 (Full)
Roud #5734
RECORDINGS:
Frank Proffitt, "Poor Soldier" (on FProffitt01)
NOTES [76 words]: The Warners claim this is a Civil War song, and so does the tradition in Frank Proffitt's family. They're probably right, but there is no reason why it could not have been sung in any other U.S. war fought in a cold climate.
The musical notes in Warner comment on how irregular the tune and meter are to this piece. It's simple truth; Frank Proffitt didn't really seem to have a tune; more of a sketch which he fleshed out irregularly to fit the words. - RBW
File: Wa132

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