The Bonnie Light Horseman
Recorded by
Kennedy’s
Kitchen on “Music in
the Glen”
When Bonney commanded his
armies to stand,
He leveled his cannon over
the land.
He leveled his cannon his
victory to gain
And he slew my light horseman
on the way home in vain.
Broken hearted I'll wander,
broken hearted I'll remain
Since my bonnie light
horseman in the wars he was slain.
If I was a small bird, had
wings to fly
I'd fly across the salt sea
to where my love lies.
And with my fond wings I'd
beat over his grave
And I’d kiss the pale lips
that lie cold in the clay.
The dove she laments for her
mate as she flies,
"Tell me where, tell me
where is my darling", she cries.
"And where in this wide
world is there one to compare
With my bonnie light horseman
who was slain in the wars."
Oh Bonney, Oh Bonney, I have
done you no harm
Tell me why, tell me why you
have caused my alarm.
Oh once we were happy, my
true love and me,
But now you have stretched us
in death o’er the sea.
"Bonney" refers to Napoleon Bonaparte. The words were
written during the Napoleonic Wars to a much older Irish melody. One of
Napoleon's favored tactics was to line up his artillery just outside
musket range and use canister (casings containing many small
projectiles) to tear the opposing infantry or cavalry to shreds.
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