From the recording THE BURNING TIMES
many Jacobites were offered a chance to join the English army to fight overseas. They were promised their families would be safe. Tragically, this was a promise that was broken.
Lyrics
MY PRETTY DARLING KEY Am
INTRO
AM-G-F-G
Am-G-F-G
VERSE 1
Am G
YOU SIGNED YOUR NAME UPON THE LINE – AND MARCHED UP AND DOWN IN TIME,
F G
WRITE A LETTER WHEN YOU’VE GOT TIME – MY PRETTY DARLING,
Am G
YOU’LL GO OFF TO FOREIGH LANDS – YOU’LL OBEY UPON COMMAND,
F G
YOU-LL FIGHT YOUR FELLOW MAN – MY PRETTY DARLING.
CHORUS
AM G
YOUNG SOLDIERS MUST GO TO WAR – YOUNG SOLDIERS MUST GO TO WAR,
F G Am
YOUNG SOLDIERS MUST GO TO WAR – MY PRETTY DARLING.
VERSE 2
YOU’LL FIGHT FOR THE CROWN YOU HATE – THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP US SAFE,
PROTECT US FROM THE REDCOAT BLADES – MY PRETTY DARLING
COME BACK SAFE MY BONNIE LAD – COME HUG YOUR CHILD NOW YOU’RE A DAD,
COME HOME AND WE’LL ALL BE GLAD – MY PRETTY DARLING,
CHORUS
INSTRUMENTAL
Am-G-F-G
Am-G-F-G
CHORUS
VERSE 3
AND IF THE DAY SHOULD COME – AND I FIND YOU’LL NOT RETURN,
OUR TEARS OF GRIEF WILL RUN – MY PRETTY DARLING,
BUT NOW MY LOVE WE ARE BETRAYED – THE REDCOATS CAME TODAY,
THE GLENS RUN WITH BLOOD AGAIN – MY PRETTY DARLING.
CHORUS X 2
VERSE 4
SIGN YOUR NAME UPON THE LINE – MARCH UP AND DOWN IN TIME,
THE ENGLISH LORDS SWORE ON OATH – MY PRETTY DARLING,
THEY DRAGGED US OUT FROM OUR BEDS - THE GLENS THEY ARE BURNING RED –
MANY SOULS LEFT FOR DEAD -MY PRETTY DARLING.
CHORUS X 2
INSTRUMENTAL VERSE X 2
INSTRUMENTAL BRIDGE AND OUTRO
Am-G-F-G
Am-G-F-G-Am