“Dying Soldier, (III) The”

Description

"A youth lay on the battlefield of France's blood-stained soil ... The Red Cross nurse beside him ..." Nurse promises to send a letter, book and bible to his mother and his love to his sweetheart

Notes

Leach-Labrador says "This is a World War I song, made in Newfoundland according to the singer" - BS

As you see, Bennett Schwartz, who indexed this song, dates it to World War I, and this seems almost certainly correct. The red cross nurse dates it after the Crimean War, which leaves only the World Wars as possibilities; the dates of the collection argue for the first war. - RBW

References

1. Doyle3, pp. 65-66, "The Dying Soldier" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Leach-Labrador 86, "Blood-Stained Soil" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Roud #4428
4. BI, Doyl3065