G D G

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Instrumental]
G            D  G  x2

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

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

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

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

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

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