Lyrics

​

When I was a young girl, the age of 16

I from my parents ran away and went to serve the queen

I enlisted in the army like another private man

And very soon they learnt me to beat upon the drum. For to beat upon the drum x3

And very soon they learnt me for to beat upon the drum

I’ll beat upon the drum x2 Ey oh

I’ll beat upon the drum

Ta ka ta ka ta ka ta ka tuk tuk ta

They sent me to my quarters, they sent me to my bed

And lying by a soldier’s side I did not feel afraid

For in taking off my red coat I oftentimes did smile

To think myself a drummer and a maiden all the while

A maiden all the while, oh a maiden all the while

To think myself a drummer but a maiden all the while. I’ll beat…

They sent me up to London for there to mind the tower

And there I might have been until this very day and hour

Til a young girl fell on love with me, told her I was a maid

She went unto my officer, my secret she betrayed.

My secret she betrayed, oh, my secret she betrayed

She went junto my officer, my secret she betrayed. I’ll beat…

Oh fare ye well dear officer, you have been kind to me

And fare ye well dear colonel, will you please remember me

If the war it should break out again and you are short of men

I’ll put my hat and feathers on and beat the drum again

And I’ll beat the drum again, oh, I’ll beat the drum again

I’ll put my hat and feathers on and beat the drum again. I’ll beat …

(Alto) When I was  young girl…..

(Ev’one else) I’ll beat upon the drum x2 ey oh

I’ll beat upon the drumx2

I’ll beat upon the drum ey oh

I’ll beat upon the drum

Ta ka ta ka ta ka ta ka tuk tuk ta

Ta ka ta ka ta ka ta ka tuk tuk

For to beat upon the drum x2

And very soon they learnt me for to beat upon the drum for to beat upon the drum