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Title
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As I was a-walking by Newgate one day
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Singer
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Phipps, Job
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Song Lyrics
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Verse 1
As I was a walking by Newgate one day,
I heard a lady unto a judge did say -
'You banished my true love, you very well know,
And sent him to the salt seas where the stormy winds blow.
Verse 2
I'll give to each turnkey a bright sum of gold,
If they will contrive me to the arms of my love;
Now our ship it lies at Blackwall just ready to set sail,
So God bless you true lovers with a sweet pleasant gale.'
Verse 3
Now as they were a sailing at their heart's content,
The ship sprang a leak my boys, to the bottom she went.
There were four and twenty of us jumped into a boat,
And on the wide ocean we were forced for to float.
Verse 4
Then hunger came on us and death drawing nigh,
We all did cast lots for to see which should die;
And this innocent virgin the shortest lot drew,
And she was to die for to feed the ship's crew.
Verse 5
'O hold your hand, butcher,' this young damsel replied,
'How can you destroy a poor innocent maid?
I'm a rich merchant's daughter, from London I be,
See what I'm brought to by loving thee!'
Verse 6
O then the hot colour flew into his face,
With his eyes full of tears and his heart like to break;
The heart in his bosom was ready to burst -
'O now to preserve thee, love, I will die first.'
Verse 7
Before the blow struck him, we all heard a gun -
''Tis hold your hand, butcher for help it is come;
O hold your hand, butcher,' this damsel replied,
'There's some ship or some harbour that's near standing by.'
Verse 8
Now as we were a-sailing with a sweet pleasant tide,
We came to a village close by the sea side;
Said she - 'Brother shipmates, I bid you adieu,
That I have proved loyal you very well know.'
Verse 9
Now this couple got married, as I've heard them say,
The bells they did ring, and the music did play;
The birds made the valleys to echo and to ring,
The young men did dance, and the maidens did sing.
