Book of Song

Newry Highwayman, The

by trad

Intro over verse

In [G] Newry [D] town I was [C] bred and [G] born,
In Stephen's [D] Green now I [C] lie in [G] scorn.
I served my [Am] time in the [C] saddling [D] trade,
I always [G] was the [C] rovin' [D] blade,
I always [G] was the [C] rovin' [G] blade.

At seventeen I took a wife
I loved her dearer than I loved me life
And so to keep her both fine and gay
I went out robbing on the king's highway
I went out robbing on the king's highway

I never robbed a poor man yet
Nor lately caused anyone to fret
But I robbed lords and ladies fine
And I carried the gold home to me heart's delight
I carried the gold home to me heart's delight

I robbed Lord Baldwin, I do declare
And Lady Manswell up in Grovenors Square
I closed me shutters and bade them good night
And I carried the gold home to me heart's delight
I carried the gold home to me heart's delight

Instrumental Bridge:

[Em] [Bm] [C] [D] [C] [D]
[Em] [Bm] [C] [D] [C] [D]

To [G] Covent [D] Garden I [C] made my [G] way
With me dear [D] wife for to [C] see the [G] play
The Fielding's [Am] men there did [C] me pur- [D] sue
And I was [G] taken by that [C] cursed [D] crew
Oh I was [G] taken by that [C] cursed [G] crew

My father cried, "Oh me darling son"
My wife, she cried, "Now I am undone"
My mother tore her gray locks and cried
It's in the cradle I should have died
It's in the cradle I should have died

When I am dead, I want for my grave
A flashy funeral pray let me have
Six highwaymen for to carry me
Oh give them broadswords and sweet liberty
Oh give them broadswords and sweet liberty

Instrumental again

Alternate verse:
Six pretty maidens to bear my pall,
Give them white garlands and ribbons all;
And when I'm dead they will speak the truth
HE was a wild and a wicked youth
HE was a wild and a wicked youth