Cheer up, cheer up! my own Jeannette, tho, far away I go,
In all the changes I may see I'll be the same Jeannot;
And if I win both fame and gold, ah! be not so unkind
To think I could forget you in the home I leave behind.
There's not a lady in the land, and if she were a queen,
Could win my heart from you, Jeannette, so
true as you have been;
They must have gallant warriors; chance had cast the lot on me;
But, mind you, this soldier, love, must no deserter be.
Why, since the world began, the surest road to fame
Has been the field where men unknown might win
themselves a name; And well I know
the brightest eyes have all the brighter shone,
When looking at some warrior bold, returned
from the battles won.
And you'd put an end to deeds which ladies love so well,
And have no tales of valor left for history to tell!
The soldier's is a noble trade, Jeannette; then rail no more,
Were only kings themselves to fight, there'd be an end to war!
