The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

A POLISH SONG: O MY ROSEMARY PLANT, BURST INTO BUD

O MY ROSEMARY PLANT, BURST INTO BUD,
O MY ROSEMARY PLANT, BURST INTO BUD.
I WILL GO TO MY GIRL,
I WILL SEE THE ONE GIRL AND WOO HER NOW.
I WILL GO TO MY GIRL,
I WILL SEE THE ONE GIRL
AND WOO HER NOW.

AND IF SHE SHOULD ANSWER, "I LOVE YOU NOT,"
UHLANS ARE RECRUITING
SHARPSHOOTERS ARE MARCHING.
I WILL JOIN THEM.

THEY'LL GIVE ME A ROAN HORSE, SURE-FOOTED, FLEET,
AND A SHARP-EDGED SABRE,
AND A SHARP EDGED SABRE,
FIXED TO MY SIDE.

THEY'LL GIVE ME A CANTEEN, WITH VODKA FILLED,
THEN I'LL NOT BE YEARNING
THEN I'LL NOT BE YEARNING
FOR MY GIRL.

WE WILL GO OUT OF THE TRENCHES
WITH FIXED BAYONETS
THE BAYONETS WILL PIERCE ME
DEATH WILL KISS ME--BUT NOT YOU.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS A SOLDIER SONG OF WORLD WAR I. HARRIET PAWLAWSKA TRANSLATED
1-4. MY FATHER ADDED 5. THE MUSIC WAS TRANSCRIBED BY GRACE ENGEL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Scan of music in progress

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Date learned: 11-28-1967