Uploaded December 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Charles Dibdin (1745 - 1814) was a prolific and popular songwriter. Jane Austen's music collection contains this written out in her own handwriting. Interestingly, she crossed out "Soldier" and substituted "Sailor" (she had two brothers in the Navy). In yet another Contributors Corner video, we present a rendition of The Soldier's Adieu sung "in the pathetic style" by Tim Marriott.
The lyrics are as follows:
Adieu, adieu my only life, my honour calls me from thee;
Remember thou'rt a Soldier's wife, those tears but ill become thee
What though by duty I am call'd where thund'ring cannons rattle,
Where valour's self might stand appal'd
where valour's self might stand appal'd,
When on the wings of thy dear love to heav'n above thy fervent orisons
are flown the tender pray'r thou put up there
Shall call a guardian Angel down,
Shall call a guardian Angel down
to watch me in the battle.
My safety thy fair truth shall be as sword and buckler serving
My life shall be more dear to me because of thy preserving.
Let peril come, let horror threat, let thund'ring cannons rattle
I fearless seek the conflict's heat
I fearless seek the conflict's heat
Assured when on wings of love thy fervent orisons
are flown the tender pray'r thou put up there
Shall call a guardian Angel down,
Shall call a guardian Angel down
to watch me in the battle.
Enough with that benignant smile some kindred God inspir'd thee
Who saw thy bosom void of guile who wondered and admir'd thee
I go assur'd, my life, adieu. Tho' thund'ring cannons rattle
Tho' murd'ring carnage stalk in view
Tho' murd'ring carnage stalk in view
When on the wings of thy dear love to heav'n above thy fervent orisons
are flown the tender pray'r thou put up there
Shall call a guardian Angel down,
Shall call a guardian Angel down
to watch me in the battle.
The relationship between a soldier and his love is one which has existed since time immemorial, but songs are usually written from the point of view of the girl who is left behind. This song, interestingly, examines it from the point of view of the soldier.
Charles Dibdin (1745 - 1814) was a prolific and popular songwriter. Jane Austen's music collection contains this written out in her own handwriting. Interestingly, she crossed out "Soldier" and substituted "Sailor" (she had two brothers in the Navy). In yet another Contributors Corner video, we present a rendition of The Soldier's Adieu sung "in the pathetic style" by Tim Marriott.
The lyrics are as follows:
Adieu, adieu my only life, my honour calls me from thee;
Remember thou'rt a Soldier's wife, those tears but ill become thee
What though by duty I am call'd where thund'ring cannons rattle,
Where valour's self might stand appal'd
where valour's self might stand appal'd,
When on the wings of thy dear love to heav'n above thy fervent orisons
are flown the tender pray'r thou put up there
Shall call a guardian Angel down,
Shall call a guardian Angel down
to watch me in the battle.
My safety thy fair truth shall be as sword and buckler serving
My life shall be more dear to me because of thy preserving.
Let peril come, let horror threat, let thund'ring cannons rattle
I fearless seek the conflict's heat
I fearless seek the conflict's heat
Assured when on wings of love thy fervent orisons
are flown the tender pray'r thou put up there
Shall call a guardian Angel down,
Shall call a guardian Angel down
to watch me in the battle.
Enough with that benignant smile some kindred God inspir'd thee
Who saw thy bosom void of guile who wondered and admir'd thee
I go assur'd, my life, adieu. Tho' thund'ring cannons rattle
Tho' murd'ring carnage stalk in view
Tho' murd'ring carnage stalk in view
When on the wings of thy dear love to heav'n above thy fervent orisons
are flown the tender pray'r thou put up there
Shall call a guardian Angel down,
Shall call a guardian Angel down
to watch me in the battle.
The relationship between a soldier and his love is one which has existed since time immemorial, but songs are usually written from the point of view of the girl who is left behind. This song, interestingly, examines it from the point of view of the soldier.
