In Newlyn Town I was
bred and
born
For I started a
life and I died of
scorn
Till I took up to a saddler's
trade
And they always called me a roving
blade
Till I took up to a saddler's
trade
And they always called me a roving
blade
Now at sweet seventeen I did take a wife
And I loved her dearly as I love my life
And to maintain her most bold and gay
Robbing I went on the King's highway
I robbed Lord Golden I do declare
Lady Mansfield in Grosvenor Square
For I closed the shutters and bid them: Good night
Marched home with my gold to my heart's delight
To Covent Garden I went straight way
Me and my wife we went to the play
Till Fieldman's gang they did me pursue
Taken I was by that curs-ed crew
My father cried he was undone
My mother she wept for her darling son
My wife she tore of her golden hair
Saying: What shall I do now I'm in despair
Now I've six big men to bear my pall
Give them white gloves and white ribbons all
I've six highwaymen for to 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 can speak the truth
Here lays a wild and wicked youth
English folk song, author uncertain