Book of Song

Newry Highwayman, The

by trad

Intro over verse

In Newry town I was bred and born,
In Stephen's Green now I lie in scorn.
I served my time in the saddling trade,
I always was the rovin' blade,
I always was the rovin' 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:




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