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Title
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Boatman
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Singer
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Unknown
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Song Lyrics
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Verse 1
I am a boatman by my trade,
Jack Williams is my name,
It was a false deluding girl,
Brought me to grief and shame.
Verse 2
To Saint Katherine's Street I did resort,
Where people did me know,
I fixed my mind on a false young girl,
And she proved my overthrow.
Verse 3
I went a-robbing night and day,
For to maintain her fine and gay,
And what I got I valued not,
But took to her straightaway.
Verse 4
Till at length to Newgate I was brought,
Bound down in irons strong,
With rattling chains around my legs,
And shelaughed to see them on.
Verse 5
I sent a letter to my love,
Some comfort for to find,
Instead of proving as a friend,
She proved to me unkind.
Verse 6
She in scornful manner said -
'I'll shun thieves' company.
So as you made your bed young man,
Down on it you must lie.'
Verse7
I thought these words were very hard,
And bitter to endure,
To think she'd no regard for me,
When I was low and poor.
Verse 8
Now in this lonesome cell I lie,
No better I deserve,
It makes my very blood run cold,
To think how I've been served.
Verse 9
The trial being over and sentence passed,
It's hanged I must be,
And it grieves my parents to the heart,
To think of my misery.
Verse 10
But Fortune it proved very kind,
As you can plainly see,
For I broke the gaol and fled away,
So I gained my liberty.
