locke hospital

as i was a-walking down by the locke hospital

cold was the morning and dark was the day

i spied a young squaddie wrapped up in old linen

wrapped up in old linen as cold as the day

so play the drums slowly and play the fifes lowly

sound a dead march as you carry him along

and over his coffin throw a bunch of white laurels

for he's a young soldier cut down in his prime

oh mother

dear mother

come sit ye down by me

sit ye down by me and pity my sad plight

for my body is injured and sadly disordered

all by a young girl me own heart's delight

get six of me comrades to carry my coffin

get six of me comrades to carry me on high

and let every one hold a bunch of white roses

so no-one will notice as we pass them by

and over his headstone these words they were written

all ye young fellows take warning from me