Blyth Camps: Or, the Girl I Left Behind Me
In 1795, near Blyth there was an encampment, the troops of which, consisting of 13 regiments of horse and foot, were reviewed on the 28th of August, that year, by the Duke of York, in the presence of upwards of 60,000 spectators.
I’m lonesome since I left BLYTH camps,
And o’er the moor that’s sedgy;
With heavy thoughts my mind is fill’d,
Since I parted with my Betsy:
Whene’er I turn to view the place,
The tears fall down and blind me;
When I think on the charming grace
Of her I left behind me.
The hours I remember well,
When first from her they mov’d me;
The burning flames my heart doth tell,
Since first she own’d she lov’d me:
In search of some one fair and gay,
Several doth remind me;
I know my darling loves me well,
Tho’ I left her behind me.
The bees shall cease to make a store,
The dove become a ranger:
The falling waters cease to roar,
Before I’ll ever change her.
Each mutual promise faithful made,
By her whom tears remind me;
I bless the hours I pass’d away
With her I left behind me.
My mind her image will retain,
Whether asleep or waking;
I hope to see my love again,
For her my heart is breaking.
If e’er I chance to go that way,
And she has not resign’d me;
I’ll reconcile my mind and stay
With her I left behind me.