Three Jolly Butchers Songtext

von Gryphon

It's of three jolly butchers as I've heard many say
They were going to some market town their money for to pay
They rode together for a mile or two and a little more besides
Said Johnson unto Jipson "Stop I heard a woman cry"
"Then stop I won't" said Jipson, "And stop I won't" said Ryde
"Then stop I will" said Johnson, "For I heard a woman cry"
So Johnson he alighted and viewed the place around
And saw a naked woman with her hair tied to the ground
"How came you here?" said Johnson, "How came you here?" said he
"Two highway men have robbed me that you can plainly see"
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 sat her up upon his horse and mounted up behind
And as they rode along the road as fast as they could ride
She put her fingers to her lips and gave three piercing cries

Out sprang ten bold highwaymen with weapons in their hands
They strode up to young Johnson and boldly bid him stand
"Stand I will" said Johnson "as long as ever I can
For I was never in all my life afraid of any man"
Then Johnson being a valiant man he made those bullets fly
Till nine of them bold highwaymen all on the ground did lie
This wicked woman standing by young Johnson did not mind
She took a knife all from his side and stabbed him from behind
This day it being a market day and people passing by
They saw this woman's dreadful deed and raised a hue and cry
Then she was down to Newgate brought bound down in irons strong
For killing the finest butcher as ever the sun shone on