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The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Her Mantle So Green" by the artist "Ye Vagabonds"

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This ballad by the Irish folk group Ye Vagabonds, titled "Her Mantle So Green," tells a story of tragic love and loss set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars.

The protagonist encounters a beautiful maiden in a green mantle, mourning her beloved who perished in the Battle of Waterloo. Captivated by her beauty, he proposes marriage, promising her a life of luxury. The maiden refuses, explaining that her heart belongs to the deceased. Intrigued, the protagonist asks for the name of her beloved, as he himself fought at Waterloo. The maiden points to her green mantle, where a name is embroidered – Willie O'Reilly.

At this moment, the protagonist realizes that he knew Willie - his closest comrade who died before his very eyes. He tells the maiden, Nancy, about Willie's last words, expressing his longing for her before his death. Nancy, overcome with grief, collapses into the protagonist's arms.

The final part of the ballad takes us back in time, where the protagonist recalls his love for Nancy and their separation. Now that the war is over, he offers her his hand in marriage once more, hoping to heal her wounds and begin a life together.

"Her Mantle So Green" is a touching story about love, loss, and hope, illustrating how war mercilessly destroys lives and leaves only scars on the hearts of people. The maiden's green mantle becomes a symbol of her grief and devotion to her deceased beloved.

As I was out walking, one evening in June

To view the fair fields, and the meadows in bloom;

I spied a pretty fair maid, she appeared like a queen

In her costly fine robes and her mantle so green

When I stepped up to her she turned in surprise

And she did not know me though I wore no disguise

Her eyes shone like diamonds her cheeks like the rose

She is one of thе fairest that nature composed

I said now my fair maid, if you comе with me

We may both join in wedlock, and married we'll be;

I will dress you in rich attire, you'll appear like a queen

In your costly fine robes and your mantle so green

She say, now my young man, I must be excused

For I'll wed with no man, you must be refused;

To the green woods I will wander to shun all men's view

For the boy I love dearly fell in famed Waterloo

And since you will not marry me, will you tell me your love's name

As I fought in that battle, I might know the same

Draw near to my garment, for there can be seen

His name is embroidered on my mantle so green

At the raising of her garment, there I did behold

His name and his surname, in letters of gold

Young Willie O'Riley, appeared to my view

And he was my chief comrade in famed Waterloo

We fought there together where the bullets did fly

On the field of battle your true love does lie

We fought for three days till the fourth afternoon

He received his death summons on the eighteenth of June

And as he lay dying, these words he did say

"If you were here lovely Nancy how contented I'd die"

When she heard this sad tale, then her tears they did flow

She fell into my arms with a heart full of woe

Oh Nancy, lovely Nancy, it was I won your heart

In your father's garden, the day we did part

In your father's garden, the truth I declare

Here is our love token, this gold ring I wear

And if you'll still have me, one word to me say

And we'll feast with great nobles on our wedding day

For peace is proclaimed love, the war it is won

You're welcome to my arms, lovely Nancy once more

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