IX
Me and Five More …
Poachers, Highwaymen and Other Criminals
Me and Five More …
Poachers, Highwaymen and Other Criminals
Many folk songs feature crime in one form or another, either as central to the plot or as a relatively incidental detail, but the moral stance varies considerably. In songs about murder, sympathy is invariably with the victims, but with lesser crimes it appears to lie as often with the perpetrators, and is rarely on the side of the authorities. Poachers and smugglers, in particular, are almost always treated sympathetically, and it is clear that the writers and singers did not count these activities as crimes at all, the perpetrators sometimes even taking on a heroic stance (see ‘The Gallant Poacher’, No. 135, and ‘The Lincolnshire Poacher’, No. 138). As James Hawker (1836–1921) writes in his journal, A Victorian Poacher (1961), p. 109:
If I had been born an idiot and unfit to carry a gun – though with plenty of cash – they would have called me a grand sportsman. Being born poor, I am called a poacher.
Not for nothing has the struggle over the game laws been termed the ‘poaching wars’.
But just because the game laws were draconian and unfair does not mean that all poachers were innocent labourers struggling to feed their starving families. Many did it precisely because it was reckless, and ruthless armed poaching gangs did not hesitate to intimidate locals as well as defying the gamekeepers, police and magistrates. Areas close to urban centres were often plagued with organized poaching gangs looking for easy money.
Songs about smuggling are a lot less common than ones on poaching, but as mentioned above they also exhibit sympathy for the smuggler – in ‘The Poor Smuggler’s Boy’ (No. 140), for example, there is no sense that the father is responsible for the lad’s plight by breaking the law, and the poor boy gets as much sympathy as any other orphan in the folk-song corpus.
Highwaymen get a mixed reception in English folk songs. Many of the most widespread songs are about specific real-life characters, and these are treated in a romantic light, which stems mainly from popular novels and other legend-creating publications. Dick Turpin is the most popular, but others (for example, ‘Brennan on the Moor’, No. 132) are also described in ways that bear little relationship to their real criminal careers, and they have nearly always taken on the Robin Hood characteristics of only robbing from the rich.
But generalized highwaymen in folk song are not usually heroic. They are often tricked by their victims (‘Highwayman Outwitted’, No. 137) and they can even be impersonated by a woman (‘The Female Highwayman’, No. 134). In songs like ‘Wild and Wicked Youth’ (No. 146), the focus is on the consequences of a young life gone wrong. Other forms of ‘highway robbery’ occur in songs like ‘Three Butchers’ (No. 143) and ‘The Undaunted Female’ (No. 144), and the perpetrators are here portrayed as unprincipled ruffians rather than ‘gentlemen of the road’.
As is to be expected, other crimes make occasional appearances in folk-song narratives – kidnap in ‘The Lost Lady Found’ (No. 139), for example, and attempted rape in ‘Blackberry Fold’ (No. 131) – and sometimes the matter is a little more complicated, as in ‘The Sheffield Apprentice’ (No. 141), who is framed by his employer because he refused her advances.
131
Blackberry Fold
There was a young squire in Bristol did dwell
There were ladies of honour who knew him quite well
As they sat a-singing their sweet long life song
Pretty Betsy the milkmaid came tripping along.
‘Do you want any milk?’ pretty Betsy did say
‘Oh yes, if you please, step in pretty maid
Step in pretty maid, ’tis you I adore
If ever a loved one was so honoured before.’
‘Now hold your tongue squire, and let me go free
And do not make game of my poverty
There are ladies of honour more fitting for you
Than I a poor milkmaid brought up by my cow.’
A ring from his finger he instantly drew
And right in the middle he broke it in two
One half he gave to her so I have been told
And away they went walking down Blackberry Fold.
As they were a-walking in an open field
‘And now,’ said the squire, ‘I must have my will
And if you deny me in this open field
With my glittering sword I will cause you to yield.’
With huggling and struggling pretty Betsy got free
And with his own weapon she pierced his body
And with his own weapon she pierced him right through
And home to her uncle like lightning she flew.
‘Oh what is the matter?’ her uncle did say
‘I’ve wounded the squire, the squire,’ she said
‘With all his fair body he grew very bold
And I’ve left him a-bleeding down Blackberry Fold.’
The coach was got ready, the squire brought home
And likewise the doctor to heal up his wounds
To heal up his wound as he lay a-bed
‘Go and fetch me my Betsy, my charming milkmaid.’
[Now Betsy was sent for, and shivering went on
‘I’m sorry,’ said Betsy, ‘for what I have done.’
‘The wound that you gave me was all my own fault
So don’t let such things still remain in your thought.’
Now a parson was sent for this couple to wed
So happy they joined in their sweet marriage bed
So come maids, prove a virgin be you ever so poor
For ’twill make you a lady ten thousand times o’er.]
132
Brennan on the Moor
It’s of a fearless highwayman a story I will tell
His name is Billy Brennan, in Ireland he did dwell
And on the Linwood Mountain he commenced his wild career
Where many a wealthy gentleman before him shook with fear.
Chorus
Crying Brennan’s on the moor, Brennan’s on the moor
So bold and undaunted stood Bill Brennan on the moor.
A brace of loaded pistols he carried night and day
He never robbed a poor man upon the King’s highway
But what he’d taken from the rich like Turpin and Black Bess
He always would divide it with the widow in distress.
One day he met a packman, his name was Hillier Brown
They travelled on together till day began to dawn
The pedlar seeing his money gone, likewise his watch and chain
He at once encountered Brennan and robbed him back again.
Now Brennan seeing the pedlar was so good a man as he
Engaged him on the highway his companion for to be
The pedlar threw away his pack without any more delay
And proved a faithful comrade until his dying day.
One day as Billy he sat down upon the King’s highway
He met the squire of Cashnel a mile outside the town
The squire he knew his features, ‘I think, young man,’ said he
‘Your name is Billy Brennan, you must come along with me.’
Now it happened Billy’s wife had gone to town provisions for to buy
And when she met her Billy, she began to sob and cry
He said, ‘Give me the tenpence,’ and as quick as Billy spoke
She handed him a blunderbuss from underneath her clothes.
Now by this loaded blunderbuss the truth I will unfold
He made the squire to tremble and robbed him of his gold
One hundred pound was offered for his apprehension there
And with his horse and saddle to the mountain did repair.
Brennan and his comrade, knowing that they was betrayed
With the mounted cavalry a noble battle made
He lost his foremost finger, which was shot off by a ball
So Bill Brennan and his comrade was taken after all.
Now they was taken prisoner and in irons bound
Conveyed to Clonmel gaol, strong walls did them surround
They was tried and then found guilty and the judge made this reply
For robbing on the King’s highway you’re both condemned to die.
Farewell unto my wife and to my children three
And to my aged father, who may shed tears for me
And to my loving mother, who tore her grey locks and cried
‘O I wish, young Billy Brennan, in your cradle you had died.’
133
Dick Turpin
As Dicky rode across yon moor
He spied a lawyer ride before
He rode up to him and he thus did say
‘Have you seen Dicky Turpin ride this way?’
Chorus
Singing hey ho, Turpin hero
I’m the valiant Turpin O.
‘No, I’ve not seen him a many long day
No more do I want to see ’im ride this way
For if I did I would have no doubt
He would turn my pockets inside out.’
‘Oh aye, lad,’ Dick says, ‘I’ll be cute
I’ll hide my money in my high top boot.’
The lawyer says, ‘He shan’t have mine
For I’ll hide it in my great coat cape behind.’
They rode together till they came to a hill
Where he bid the bold lawyer to stand still
‘Thy great coat cape it must come off
For my Black Bess wants a new saddle cloth.’
‘So now I’ve robbed thee of all thy store
Thou now mayst go and work for more
And the very next town that thou rides in
Thou can tell ’em thou’s been robbed by Dick Turpin.’
But wasn’t Dicky hard and fast
For killing an old game cock at last
‘But here’s fifty pound before I die
To give Jack Catch for a lad like I.’
134
The Female Highwayman
Cecilia on one certain day
She dressed herself in man’s array
With a brace of pistols all by her side
To meet her true love, to meet her true love
To meet her true love away did ride.
She met him boldly on the plain
‘Stand and deliver,’ she said, ‘young man
Stand and deliver, young man,’ she say
‘Or else this moment, or else this moment
Or this very moment your life I’ll lay.’
She robbed him of his watch and gold
Gave him the empty purse to hold
Saying, ‘There’s one thing more on your finger now
Deliver it to me, deliver it to me
Deliver it to me, your life to spare.’
‘That diamond ring a token was
Before I’d lose it my life I’d lose.’
She being tender-hearted more like a dove
She rode away, she rode away
She rode away from her own true love.
Early next morning plain to be seen
That couple walked on the garden green
When he saw his watch hanging by her clothes
Which made him blush, which made him blush
Which made him blush like the damask rose.
‘How can you blush at such a thing
More if I’d had your diamond ring
For it’s I that robbed you upon the plain
Now take your gold, love, now take your gold, love
Now take your gold, love, and your watch again.’
‘Why did you enter such a foolish plot
Suppose your pistols you would have shot?
And if you had killed me out on that plain
For ever after, for ever after
For ever after you’d be brought to shame.’
‘I did intend and ’twas to know
Whether your love was true or no
And now I have a contented mind
My love and all, my love and all
My love and all, my dear, are thine.’
Now this couple married were
And they do live a most happy pair
For the bells did ring and the music play
And they have pleasure, and they have pleasure
And they have pleasure both night and day.
135
The Gallant Poachers
Come all you lads of high renown
That love to drink strong ale that’s brown
And bring those lofty pheasants down
With powder, shot and gun
He is a gallant youth, he will tell you the truth
He has crossed all life’s temptation’s ways
No mortal man his life could save
He now is sleeping in his grave
His deeds on earth be done.
Me and five more a-poaching went
To kill some game ’twas our intent
Our money being gone and spent
We had nothing else to try
For the moon shone bright, not a cloud in sight
The keeper heard us fire a gun
And to the spot he quick-aly run
And swore before the rising sun
That one of us should die.
Now the bravest youth among the lot
’Twas his misfortune to be shot
His deeds shall never be forgot
By all his friends below
For help he cried, but was denied
His memory ever shall be blest
He rose again to stand the test
While down upon his gallant breast
The crimson blood did flow.
Now the youth he fell upon the ground
And in his breast a mortal wound
While through the woods the gun did sound
That took his life away
In the midst of life he fell, in suffering full well
Deep was the wound the keeper gave
No mortal man his life could save
He now lies sleeping in his grave
Until the Judgement Day.
It makes our hearts to mourn
Our comrades were to prison sent
It being our enemy’s intent
That there they should remain
But fortune changed her mind, unto us proved kind
No more locked up in midnight cells
I hear the turnkey ring the bells
And bid those ponderous doors adieu
And the rattling of their chains.
Now the murderous man who did him kill
All on the ground his blood did spill
Must wander far against his will
And find no resting place
Destructive things his conscience stings
He must wander through the world forlorn
And ever feel the smarting thorn
And pointed at with finger scorn
And die in sad disgrace.
136
Geordie
As I crossed over London Bridge
’Twas on one morning early
There I espied a fair lady
Lamenting for her Georgie.
‘Come fetch to me some little boy
That can go on an errand quickly
That can run ten miles in an hour
With a letter for a lady.’
‘Come saddle me my milk-white steed
And bridle it most rarely
That I may go to Newcastle gaol
And beg for the life of Georgie.’
When she got to Newcastle gaol
She bowed her head so lowly
Three times on her bended knees did fall
Saying, ‘Spare me the life of Georgie.’
‘It is no murder George have done
Nor have he kill-ed any
But he stole sixteen of the King’s fat deer
And sold them in the army.’
The judge looked over his right shoulder
And seeming very sorry
He says, ‘My dear you are now too late
He is condemned already.’
‘Oh six babies I have got with me
And I love them most dearly
I would freely part with them every one
If you spare me the life of Georgie.’
The judge looked over his left shoulder
And seeming very hard-hearted
He says, ‘My dear you are too late
There is no pardon granted.’
‘Oh George shall be hang in a chain of gold
Which a few there are not many
Because he became by a noble bride
And beloved by a vict’rous lady’. [= virtuous?]
137
Highwayman Outwitted
Good people draw near and a song you shall hear
’Tis of an old farmer in Oxfordshire
A shrewd Yorkshire boy he kept for his man
And [for] his business, whose name it was Jan.
Chorus
Ri fol de rital, fol de ral redo
Ri fol de redo, ri fol de rol dee.
In the morning quite early he called for his man
And his business, he called and said, ‘Little Jan
Go take you my cow and away to the fair
She’s in very good order and her I can spare.’
The boy took the cow and went off in a van
And came to the fair as we understand
And in a short time he met with three men
And sold them the cow for just six pound ten.
They went to an alehouse and there sat to drink
Where the purchaser paid to the boy all the chink
And then to the landlord the lad he did say
‘With my money O what shall I do, I do pray?’
‘I will sew it all in your coat lining,’ said he
‘Not upon the high road a-robbed should be.’
Now there sat there a highwayman drinking his wine
Said he to himself, ‘Faith that money is mine.’
The boy took his leave and away he did go
The highwayman followed soon after also
‘You’re well overtaken, my boy,’ he did say
‘You’re well overtaken upon the highway.’
‘Will you get up behind me, my good boy?’ he said
‘How far are you going?’ then answered the lad
‘Four miles and yet further for aught that I know.’
So the boy jumped a horseback and away they did go.
They rode on their way till they reached a dark lane
When the highwayman says, ‘I must tell you all plain
Deliver your money without any strife
Or instantly I will take off your sweet life.’
The boy saw no time and no chance to dispute
So he slipped from behind without any doubt
And then his coat lining he tore and pulled out
And among the green grass he strewed it about.
The highwayman instantly sprang from his horse
And little he counted the prospect of loss
But while he was seeking the highway beside
The boy jumped a horseback and away he did ride.
The highwayman shouted and bid him to stay
The boy made no answer but rode on his way
And to his old master in order did bring
Horse, bridle and saddle – a very fine thing.
His master he came to the door rather cross
‘What the deuce, is my cow turned into a horse?’
‘O no, my good master, the cow I have sold
She was ta’en on the way by a highwayman bold.’
They search-ed the bags and there speedily found
In silver and gold there was five hundred pound
And two brace of pistols, the boy said, ‘I vow
I think, my good master, I’ve well sold the cow.’
Then the boy for his wit and his valour so rare
Three parts of the money was given as his share
And since that bold highwayman lost all his store
I reckon he’s riding and robbing to get more.
The old master he laughed till his sides he did hold
Says he, ‘Jan my boy, thou hast been very bold
And as to the villain, it serves him quite right
You have put on a robber a clean Yorkshire bite.’
138
The Lincolnshire Poacher
I was born a labourer in famous Gloucestershire
I served my master faithful for more than seven years
Until I took to poaching as quickly you shall hear
For it’s my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year
For it’s my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year.
As me and my companions were setting of a snare
’Twas then we spied the gamekeeper, for him we did not care
For we can wrestle and fight, my boys, [ jump over anywhere]
For it’s my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year, etc.
As me and my companions were setting four or five
[And taking of them up again] we caught a hare alive
We caught a hare alive, my boys, and through the woods did steer
For it’s my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year, etc.
The gamekeeper came up to us and said, ‘What does you here?
I’ll send you both to prison for setting of a snare.’
With that we knocked the keeper down, the blow it warmed his ear
For it’s my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year, etc.
Good luck to every gentleman that lives in Gloucestershire
Good luck to every poacher that goes to set a snare
Bad luck to every gamekeeper who will not sell his deer
For it’s my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year, etc.
139
The Lost Lady Found
’Twas down in a valley a fair maid did dwell
She lived with her uncle, as all knew full well
’Twas down in the valley where violets were gay
Three Gipsies betrayed her and stole her away.
Long time she’d been missing and could not be found
Her uncle he search-ed the country around
Till he came to her trustee, between hope and fear
The trustee made answer, ‘She has not been here.’
The trustee spake up with a courage so bold
‘I fear she’s been lost for the sake of her gold
So we’ll have life for life, sir,’ the trustee did say
‘We shall send you to prison, and there you shall stay.’
There was a young squire that lov-ed her so
Oft times to the schoolhouse together they did go
‘I’m afraid she is murdered, so great is my fear
If I’d wings like a dove I would fly to my dear.’
He travelled through England, through France and through Spain
Till he ventured his life on the watery main
And he came to a house where he lodged for a night
And in that same house was his own heart’s delight.
When she saw him she knew him, and flew to his arms
She told him her grief as he gazed on her charms
‘How came you to Dublin, my dearest, I pray?’
‘Three Gipsies betrayed me and stole me away.’
‘Your uncle’s in England, in prison doth lie
And for your sweet sake is condemned for to die.’
‘Carry me to old England, my dearest,’ she cried
One thousand I’ll give you, and will be your bride.’
When she came to old England, her uncle to see
The cart it was under the high gallows tree
‘Oh pardon, oh pardon, oh pardon I crave
Don’t you see I’m alive, your dear life to save.’
Then straight from the gallows they led him away
The bells they did ring and the music did play
Every house in the valley with mirth did resound
As soon as they heard the lost lady was found.
140
The Poor Smuggler’s Boy
Oh my father and mother was happy to dwell
In a neat little cottage, they reared me up well
Till father he ventured all on the salt sea
For a keg of good brandy, to the land of the free.
It’s for Holland we steer while the thunder do roar
And the lightning flash very far from our shore
Our topmast and rigging were blown to the waves
Leaving poor father with a watery grave.
Oh I jumped overboard, Oh I jumped in the main
To save my poor father but ’twas all in vain
Oh I clasped his cold clay and quite lifeless was he
And forced for to leave him sunk deep in the sea.
Which I clung to a plank, which I made for the shore
Bad news now for mother for father’s no more
Mother, poor soul, broken-hearted she died
I was left for to wander, a poor smuggler’s boy.
Now a lady of fortune she heard his complaint
She sheltered him in from the wind and the rain
She says, ‘I’ve employment, no parents have I
I’ll think of an orphan till the day I do die.’
Now he has done his duty and bears a good name
The mistress she died and the master he became
She leaved him five thousand pounds and some land
If you are poor you may live to be grand.
141
The Sheffield Apprentice
I was brought up in Sheffield, a place of high degree
My parents doted upon me, they had no child but me
I roamed about for pleasure just where my fancy led
Till I was bound apprentice and all my joys were fled.
I did not like my master, he did not use me well
I made a resolution not along with him to dwell
I made a resolution not along with him to stay
Steering my course for London and cursed be the day.
I had not been in London scarce one month, two or three
Before my honoured mistress grew very fond of me
She said, ‘I’ve gold, I’ve silver, I’ve houses and I’ve land
If you will marry me they shall be at your command.’
‘Oh no dear honoured mistress, I cannot wed you now
For I have lately promised likewise a solemn vow
To wed with dearest Polly, your handsome chambermaid
So come my honoured mistress, she has my heart betrayed.’
She flew into a passion and turned away from me
Saying by he who made her she’ll be revenged on me
Her gold ring on her finger, as she was passing by
She slipped it in my pocket and by it I must die.
For that before the justice, the justice I was brought
And there before the justice to answer for my fault
Long time I pleaded innocent but that was all in vain
She swore so false against me that I was sent to gaol.
Upon the day of execution and on that fateful day
I pray’d the people round me, ‘Oh pray come pity me
Don’t laugh at my downfall for I bid the world adieu
Farewell my dearest Polly, I died for the love of you.’
142
Thorneymoor Woods
In Thorneymoor woods in Nottinghamshire
Ri fal lero whack fal laddie
In Thorneymoor woods in Nottinghamshire
Fal the ral lero day
The keepers’ houses stood three square
About a mile from each other they were
Their order was to look after the deer
Right fal the ral lero i day.
The moon was up and the stars gave light, etc.
O’er hedges, ditches, gate and rails
With my two dogs close at my heels
To catch a fat buck in Thorneymoor fields, etc.
The very next night we had bad luck, etc.
One of my very best dogs got stuck
He came to me both bloody and lame
And sorry was I to see the same
He was not able to follow the game, etc.
I searched his wounds and found them slight, etc.
Some keeper done it out of spite
I’ll take my pike staff in my hand
I’ll [range] the woods till I find that man
I’ll tan his hide right well if I can, etc.
I searched the woods all that night, etc.
I searched the woods till it proved daylight
The very first thing that there I found
Was a good fat buck lie dead on the ground
I knew my dog had gave him the death wound, etc.
I out with my knife and I cut the buck’s throat, etc.
I out with my knife and I cut the buck’s throat
O how you would laugh to see limping Jack
Come trudging along with a buck on his back
He carried him off like a Yorkshire man’s pack, etc.
We hired a butcher to skin the game, etc.
Likewise another to sell the same
The very first piece we offered for sale
Was to an old woman who sold bad ale
Who sent all us poor lads to gaol, etc.
The Nottingham ’sizes are drawing near, etc.
We poor lads shall have to appear
The magistrates they are all fully sworn
That such an old woman ought never been born
And into pieces she ought to be torn, etc.
The ’sizes are over and we are free, etc.
The ’sizes are over and we are free
Of all the games that here I see
A buck or a doe or a hare for me
In Thorneymoor woods this night I shall see, etc.
143
Three Butchers
It’s of two jolly butchers, as I have heard them say
Were riding out of London all on one certain day.
As they were riding along the road as fast as they could ride
‘Oh stop your horse,’ said Johnson, ‘I heard a woman cry.’
‘I will not stop,’ said Wilson, ‘I will not stop,’ said he
‘I will not stop,’ said Wilson, ‘for robb-ed we shall be.’
Then Johnson he got off his horse and searched the woods around
And found a naked woman with her hair pinned to the ground.
‘How came you here?’ said Johnson, ‘How came you here fast bound?
How came you here stark naked, with your hair pinned to the ground?’
‘They whipped me, they stripped me, my legs and arms they bound
They left me here stark naked with my hair pinned to the ground.’
Then Johnson being a valiant man, a man of courage bold
He took the coat from off his back to keep her from the cold.
Then Johnson being a valiant man, a man of valiant mind
He wrapped his coat around her and took her up behind.
As they were riding along the road so fast as they could ride
She put her fingers to her lips and gave three dreadful cries.
Then up rode three young swaggering blades with staves all in their hands
A-riding up to Johnson and bidding him to stand.
‘I’ll stand, I’ll stand,’ said Johnson, ‘I’ll stand, I’ll stand,’ said he
‘I never was in all my life afraid of any three.’
Then one of them he quickly slew, the woman he did not mind
She drew a knife and ripped him up behind.
‘I must fall, I must fall,’ said Johnson, ‘I must fall upon the ground
It was this wicked woman who has give me my death wound.’
And she shall hang in iron chains for what she has just done
She’s slain the fairest young butcher that e’er the sun shone on.
144
The Undaunted Female
[It’s of a pretty fair maid in London did dwell
For wit and for beauty none could her excel
To her master and her mistress she serv-ed seven years
And what followed after you quickly shall hear.]
She put her box upon her head and gang-ed along
The first that she met was a surly-looking man
He said, ‘My pretty fair maid, where are you going this way?
I will show you a nearer way across the counterie.’
He took her by the hand and he led her to a lane
And said, ‘My pretty fair maid, I mean to tell you plain
Deliver up your money without a fear of strife
Or else this very moment I’ll take away your life.’
The tears from her eyes like a fountain did flow
‘Oh where shall I wander, or wither shall I go?’
And while this young fellow was feeling for his knife
This beautiful damsel she took away his life.
She put her box upon her head and gang-ed along
The next that she met was a noble-looking man
He said, ‘My pretty fair maid, where are you going so late?
Or what was the noise that I heard at yonder gate?’
‘That box upon your head to yourself it don’t belong
To your mistress or your master you’ve done something wrong.’
‘To my mistress or my master I’ve done nothing ill
But I feel in my heart it’s a man I have killed.’
She took him by the hand and led him to the place
Where that surly-looking fellow lay bleeding on his face
He had some loaded pistols, some powder and some shots
A knife and a whistle, a robbery to call.
She put the whistle to her mouth and blew it loud and shrill
And four tall young fellows came trampling down the hill
And this gentleman shot one of them, whose name was Peter Lee
And the beautiful young damsel she shot the other three.
He said, ‘My pretty fair maid, for what you have done
I will make you my bride for firing off your gun.’
145
Van Diemen’s Land
Come all you gallant poachers that ramble free from care
That walk out of a moonlight night with your dog, your gun and snare
Where the lofty hare and pheasant you have at your command
Not thinking that your last career is on Van Diemen’s Land.
There was poor Tom Brown from Nottingham, Jack Williams and poor Joe
Were three as daring poachers as the country well does know
At night they were trepann-ed by the keeper’s hideous hand
And for fourteen years transported were unto Van Diemen’s Land.
Oh when we sailed from England, we landed at the bay
We had rotten straw for bedding, we dared not to say nay
Our cots were fenced with fire, we slumber when we can
To drive away the wolves and tigers upon Van Diemen’s Land.
Oh when that we were landed upon that fatal shore
The planters they came flocking round full twenty score or more
They ranked us up like horses and sold us out of hand
They yoked us to the plough, my boys, to plough Van Diemen’s Land.
There was one girl from England, Susan Summers was her name
For fourteen years transported was, we all well knew the same
Our planter bought her freedom and he married her out of hand
Good usage then she gave to us upon Van Diemen’s Land.
Often when I am slumbering I have a pleasant dream
With my sweet girl I am sitting, down by some purling stream
Through England I am roaming, with her at my command
Then waken, broken-hearted, upon Van Diemen’s Land.
God bless our wives and families, likewise that happy shore
That isle of sweet contentment which we shall see no more
As for our wretched females, see them we seldom can
There are twenty to one woman upon Van Diemen’s Land.
Come all you gallant poachers, give ear unto my song
It is a bit of good advice, although it is not long
Lay by your dog and snare, to you I do speak plain
If you knew the hardship we endure you ne’er would poach again.
146
Wild and Wicked Youth
I went to London both blithe and gay
My time I wasted in bowls and play
Until that my cash it did get low
And then on the highway I was forced to go.
O next I took to me a pretty wife
I loved her as dear and I loved my life
But for to maintain her both fine and gay
Resolved I was that the world should pay.
I robbed Lord Edgecombe I do declare
And my Lady Taunton of Melbourne Square
I bid then goodnight, sat in my chair
With laughter and song went to my dear.
I robbed them of five hundred pounds so bright
But all of it squandered one jovial night
Till taken by such as I never knew
But I was informed they were Fielding’s crew.
The judge his mercy he did extend
He pardoned my crime, bade me amend
But still I pursued a thieving trade
I always was reckoned a roving blade.
O now I am judged and doomed to die
And many a maid for me will cry
For all their sighs and for all salt tears
Where I shall go the Lord knows where.
My father he sighs and he makes his moan
My mother she weeps for her darling son
But sighs and tears will never save
Nor keep me from an untimely grave.