The Banks of the Nile

And we'll comfort one another on the banks of the Nile
Oh Willie, dearest Willie, don't leave me here to mourn
And I am bound on oath, my love, to serve in a foreign land
So stay at home, my dearest love, and I will be your wife
Don't make me curse and rue the day that ever I was born
Oh, cursed be those cruel wars, that ever they began
In the sultry suns of Egypt, your rosy cheeks would spoil
I'll dress myself in uniform and I'll see Egypt too

But your waist it is too slender, and your fingers they are too small
Oh, but I'll cut off my yellow hair, and I'll go along with you
Oh my Nancy, dearest Nancy, sure that will never do
To join the British Army on the banks of the Nile
Where the cannons they do rattle, when the bullets they do fly

They've robbed us of our sweethearts while their bodies they feed the lions
And the silver trumpets sound, so loud to hide the dismal cries

We're ordered down to Portsmouth and it's many is the weary mile
For the parting of our love would be like parting with my life

The government has ordered, and we are bound to go
The government has ordered, and the Queen she gives command
For they have robbed our country of many's the handsome men
I'll march beneath your banner while fortune it do smile