High Germany (Trad)

A traditional folk song, once known throughout England, Ireland and Scotland, with a history spanning hundreds of years. There are three songs with basically the same words as the one known as High Germany. The version sung here is the best known one, the others being The Two Lovers or True Lovers (Round 1445) and The Wars of Germany (Roud 5608).
The song deals with a young man, usually named “Willy” or “William” and his lover Polly. They are lamenting about his conscription to fight in ‘High Germany’ (referring to the southern, Alpine part of the country). He attempts to convince her to accompany him. Polly professes her love, but declares she is not fit for war. William attempts to change her mind, stating that he will buy her a horse to ride, and that they will eventually wed. Polly still refuses, whilst being aggrieved that her man has been drafted away from her. The historical setting of the ballad is most likely either the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) or, more likely, the Seven Years’ War. The song was subsequently adapted to fit the Napoleonic Wars (1813-38).
The words seem to have first appeared on broadsides in the late 18th Century. Cecil Sharp collected a version in 1906, and Gustav Holst used the melody in ''A Somerset Rhapsody (1907). Ralph Vaughan Williams also used the melody in the third movement of his English Folk Song Suite (1923).