Roving Blade

In London Town I was bred and born
At Tyburn ground there I died of scorn
I served my time to a saddler's trade
Then they always called me a roving blade

At seventeen I did take a wife
And I loved her dearly as I loved me life
And to maintain her both night and day
I went robbing on the king's highway

I robbed Lord Golding I do declare
And Lady Mansfield in Grosvenor Square
I closed the shutters and bid them good night
Marched home with gold to my heart's delight

To Covent Garden we went straightway
Me and my wife we went to the play
Ned Fielding's gang there did me pursue
Taken was I by that curs-ed crew

My father cried, he was undone
My mother wept for her darling son
My wife she tore of her golden hair
Saying Oh now I am in despair

Now I've six big men to bear my pall
Give them white gloves and white ribbons all
I've six bold highwaymen t'carry me
Give them broadswords and sweet liberty

And now I am dead and in my grave
The grass grows over me in great big blades
But now I am dead they speak the truth
Here lays a wild and a wicked youth