The Lancashire Lads

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[Verse]
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It was last Monday morning
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Oh, as I have heard them say
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Our orders, they came this afternoon
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We're bound to march away

[Chorus]
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For the Lancashire lads have gone abroad
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Whatever shall we do?
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They're leaving many's a pretty fair maid
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To cry, "What shall I do?"

[Verse]
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Said the mother to the daughter
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"What makes you talk so strange?
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That you want to marry a soldier lad
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And the whole wide world to range

[Chorus]
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For the Lancashire lads have gone abroad
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Whatever shall we do?
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They're leaving many's a pretty fair maid
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To cry, "What shall I do?"

[Verse]
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For the soldiers, they are ramblin' boys
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They have but little pay
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Can they maintain a wife and child
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On fifteen pence a day?"

[Chorus]
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For the Lancashire lads have gone abroad
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Whatever shall we do?
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They're leaving many's a pretty fair maid
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To cry, "What shall I do?"

[Verse]
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Said the father to the daughter
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"I'll have you close confined
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You'll never marry a soldier lad
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He'll be no son of mine"

[Chorus]
G
For the Lancashire lads have gone abroad
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Whatever shall we do?
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They're leaving many's a pretty fair maid
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To cry, "What shall I do?"

[Instrumental]
G            D  G  x2

[Verse]
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"Oh, if you confine me seven long years
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And after set me free
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I'll go and I'll follow me soldier lad
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When I gain my liberty

[Chorus]
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For the Lancashire lads have gone abroad
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Whatever shall we do?
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They're leaving many's a pretty fair maid
              D       G
To cry, "What shall I do?"

[Verse]
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For my true love's dressed in scarlet
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And turned up with the blue
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And every place that he goes in
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My sweetheart is true"

[Chorus]
G
For the Lancashire lads have gone abroad
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Whatever shall we do?
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They're leaving many's a pretty fair maid
              D       G
To cry, "What shall I do?"

[Verse]
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Now we've gotten sweethearts enough, brave boys
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Girls to please our minds
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But we'll never forget sweet Manchester
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And the girls we left behind

[Chorus]
G
For the Lancashire lads have gone abroad
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Whatever shall we do?
G
They're leaving many's a pretty fair maid
              D       G
To cry, "What shall I do?"