High Germany
Traditional
- Written by
- [Traditional]
- Language
- English
- Comments
-
Probably of English origin, some claim it to be Irish; in any event, the song was known throughout England, Ireland and Scotland. The earliest printed version now known for the ballad is circa 1780, published in "A Collection of Garlands". The work is collected in the Roud Folk Music Index as number 904. There are at least two distinct folksongs known under the name "High Germany", with different tunes and lyrics. The second version is more commonly known as "The Two Lovers" or "True Lovers" and is collected as Roud 1445. The versions here generally begin along the lines of "Polly, dear Polly, the rout has begun". (In Irish versions, Polly is often switched to "Colleen".) Roud 1445 starts along the following lines: "Woe be to the orders that took my love away".
Roud 904 and 1445 explore the same subject -- a young man and his lover lamenting over the conscription of the man to go to war in Germany. "High Germany" refers to the southern part of the country where it is mountainous. In Roud 904, a young man, often Willy, is conscripted to fight in "High Germany". He attempts to convince his lover to dress like a man and join him in the war. "Polly" professes her love, but declares she is not fit for war. "Willy" attempts to persuade her to change her mind, stating that he will buy her a horse to ride, and that they will eventually wed. "Polly" still refuses and laments that her man has been drafted away from her.
There is considerable debate over the war responsible for the origination of this ballad, with some arguing it is ahistorical. Assuming, as seems probable, that the song is historically placed, the two most likely wars from which the ballad originates are the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) or the Seven Years War (1756-1763) (the North American front of which is referred to as the French and Indian War). In both of these wars, the English fought in "High Germany". - Licensing
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