Willard's Leap ~ Bold Wolfe

The death of General Wolfe on the plains of Abraham during the taking of Quebec provided the ballad-mongers with a great subject which they seized gladly. This text contains the curious idea that Wolfe and the French general Montcalm walked together chatting like brothers before retiring to their own lines to let battle commence. This song (not to be confused with Bold General Wolfe) has not been found in England, but in America, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, from where this version comes. (Martin Carthy) With Acknowledgement : www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/~zierke/watersons/songs/bravewolfe.html Come all ye young men all let this delight you Come all ye young men all let nothing fright you Never let your courage fail when you're brought to trial Nor let your fancy move at the first denial This brave undaunted youth has crossed the ocean To free America was his intention He landed at Quebec with all his party The city to attack being brave and hearty Bold Wolfe drew up his men in a line so pretty On the Plains of Abraham before the city The French came marching down in hopes to meet them With a double number round resolved to beat them Montcalm and this brave youth together walked Between two armies they like brothers talked Till each one to his post then did retire Twas then these numerous hosts commenced their fire The drums did loudly beat and the colours flying The purple dawn did stream and men lay dying And shot from off his horse fell that brave hero We'll long lament his loss in tears of sorrow He lifted up his head when the guns did rattle And to his aide said, How goes the battle? Quebec is all our own none can prevent it Oh then, replies bold Wolfe, I die contented