Reader was born in Glasgow, the daughter of a welder, and the eldest of seven children (her brother, Francis, is vocalist with the band The Trash Can Sinatras). She began playing the guitar at the age of ten, and started her musical career busking, first in Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street, then in the early 1980s around Europe (where she also worked with circus and performance artists).
Back in Scotland, she joined the punk band Gang of Four as a backing singer which led to her first US tour. After leaving the band she started working as a session vocalist in London, singing with such acts as Eurythmics, Alison Moyet and Language.
In 1984, Reader sang for a brief time with disco group Outbar Squeek. Around the same time she teamed up with Mark E. Nevin, a guitarist and songwriter, to record a few of his songs. They subsequently formed Fairground Attraction, together with Simon Edwards and Roy Dodds. In 1988 the band released their first single, Perfect, which became a UK number one, winning best single at the 1989 Brit Awards. Their first album, The First of a Million Kisses, was also a success, reaching number two in the UK album chart, and winning best album at the 1989 Brit Awards.
This success was short-lived, however. In November, 1989, after a break, during which Reader had her first child, Charlie with her French-Algerian partner Milou, Mark Nevin abandoned a recording session for the second album, which would eventually lead to the splitting of the band. A makeshift second album, a collection of B-sides and live tracks, Ay Fond Kiss was rushed out the following year.
Reader returned to Scotland, but before she embarked on her solo career she took a temporary detour into acting. She played Jolene Jowett, a singer and accordionist, in John Byrne's Your Cheatin' Heart, a comedy-drama series for BBC television, set in the country music scene in Scotland.
Returning to London, Reader worked on new material with a backing band calling itself "The Patron Saints of Imperfection" (made up of Roy Dodds, Neill and Calum MacColl, and Phil Steriopoulos). This became her first solo album, recorded for RCA: 1992's Mirmama. It was followed by Eddi Reader (1994), which won her the "Best female singer" Brit Award that year, Candyfloss and Medicine (1996), Angels & Electricity (1998), Simple Soul (2001) and Driftwood (2002) - a "homegrown" release of songs recorded during the Simple Soul sessions.
In 2003, she recorded her album of material by Robert Burns with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra leading to excellent reviews and an international resurgence in interest in Scotland's Bard.
The Song "Bell Book And Candle" was included in the final soundtrack of the TV show by WB "Charmed", The name of the disc is "Charmed: The Final Chapter".
In the 2006 New Years Honours List, Reader was awarded the MBE for services to music.
Her eighth studio album Peacetime was released in the UK on 29 January 2007 on the Rough Trade label. Critically praised and produced by fellow Scottish folk musician John McCusker the album features a few Burns songs alongside brand new material with longtime collaborator Boo Hewerdine and Trashcan Sinatras' John Douglas. Reader promoted the album with a 15 date UK tour in February.
Mary and the Soldier
Eddi Reader Lyrics
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That will hear of a fair young maiden
For she went oot of a summers day
To view the soldiers parading
And they marched so bold and they looked so gay
Their colours a flying and the band did play
It caused young Mary for to say:
"I'll wed you me gallant soldier"
Ah, Mary viewed the soldiers there
As they stood at their leisure
And Mary to herself did say:
"At last I've found me treasure
But oh how cruel me parents must be
To banish me darling so far from me
I'll leave them all and I'll go with thee
Me bold undaunted soldier"
"Oh Mary dear your parents love
I pray don't be unruly
For when you're in a foreign land
Believe me you'll rue it surely
Perhaps in battle I might fall
From a shot from an angry cannon ball
And you so far from your daddy's hall
Be advised by your gallant soldier."
"I have 50 guineas in bright gold
Likewise a heart that's bolder
But I'll leave them all
And I'll go with you
Me bold undaunting soldier
So don't say no-one let me go
And I will face the daring foe
We'll march together to and fro
And I'll wed you me gallant soldier."
And when he saw her loyalty
And Mary's so true hearted
He said: "Me darling married we'll be
And nothing but death will part us
And when we're in a foreign land
I'll guard you darling with my right hand
I'm hopes that God will stand a friend
To Mary and her gallant soldier"
The song "Mary and the Soldier" by Eddi Reader tells a story of a fair young maiden named Mary who falls in love with a soldier that she sees parading. Mary decides that she wants to marry the soldier and leave her family behind to be with him. The soldier warns her of the dangers of being in a foreign land and fighting in battles but Mary is determined to be with him no matter what. The soldier eventually agrees to marry her and promises to protect her with his life.
The lyrics of this song are quite symbolic and speak to deeper themes of love, sacrifice, and devotion. Mary represents the idea of following one's heart and being willing to take risks for love regardless of the cost. The soldier represents the bravery and loyalty needed to fight for what one believes in and to protect those that they love. Together, they show that love is sometimes risky, but it is worth the sacrifice when the two hearts are truly meant to be together.
Line by Line Meaning
Come all ye lads of high reknown
Listen, all you well-known men
That will hear of a fair young maiden
Who want to hear about a beautiful girl
For she went oot of a summers day
One summer day, she went outside
To view the soldiers parading
To watch the soldiers marching
And they marched so bold and they looked so gay
They marched boldly and looked happy
Their colours a flying and the band did play
Their flags were waving as the band played
It caused young Mary for to say:
This made young Mary say
"I'll wed you me gallant soldier"
"I'll marry you, my brave soldier"
Ah, Mary viewed the soldiers there
Mary looked at the soldiers there
As they stood at their leisure
As they relaxed
And Mary to herself did say:
Mary said to herself
"At last I've found me treasure
"I've finally found my treasure
But oh how cruel me parents must be
But my parents must be so cruel
To banish me darling so far from me
To send my beloved so far away from me
I'll leave them all and I'll go with thee
I'll leave them all and go with you
Me bold undaunted soldier"
"My brave fearless soldier"
"Oh Mary dear your parents love
"Please, Mary, your parents love you
I pray don't be unruly
Please don't be disobedient
For when you're in a foreign land
Because when you're in a foreign land
Believe me you'll rue it surely
You'll surely regret it
Perhaps in battle I might fall
Maybe I'll die in battle
From a shot from an angry cannon ball
Hit by an angry cannonball
And you so far from your daddy's hall
And you so far from your father's house
Be advised by your gallant soldier."
Listen to your brave soldier."
I have 50 guineas in bright gold
I have 50 gold coins
Likewise a heart that's bolder
And a braver heart
But I'll leave them all
But I'll leave them all behind
And I'll go with you
And I'll go with you
Me bold undaunting soldier
"My brave fearless soldier"
So don't say no-one let me go
So don't stop me from going
And I will face the daring foe
And I'll face the enemy bravely
We'll march together to and fro
We'll march together back and forth
And I'll wed you me gallant soldier.
And I'll marry you, my brave soldier."
And when he saw her loyalty
And when he saw her devotion
And Mary's so true hearted
And Mary's so sincerely loving
He said: "Me darling married we'll be
"My dear, we'll get married
And nothing but death will part us
And only death will separate us
And when we're in a foreign land
And when we're in a foreign country
I'll guard you darling with my right hand
I'll protect you, my dear, with my right hand
I'm hopes that God will stand a friend
And I hope that God will be our friend
To Mary and her gallant soldier
To Mary and her brave soldier
Contributed by Asher K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.