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The Newry Highwayman

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The Newry Highwayman
Anonymous

a traditional Irish folk song about a criminal's life, deeds, and death. It is also found in England, Scotland, the USA and Canada. The earliest known broadside is from about 1830 (Bodleian Harding B 25(2054)). Some versions mention "Mansfield" and this is sometimes taken to be William Murray, first Earl of Mansfield (1706-1793). It is classified as Roud 490, Laws L012. Other titles for this song include:

  • Wild and Wicked Youth
  • The Flash Lad
  • In Newry Town
  • Newlyn Town
  • The Rambling Boy
414630The Newry HighwaymanAnonymous

In Newry Town I was bred and born
In Stephen's Green, now I die in scorn
I spent my time in the saddling trade
But I turned out to be
But I turned out to be a roving blade.

At Seventeen I took a wife
I loved her dearly as I loved my life
And for to keep her both fine and gay
I went a robbing -- went a robbing on the King's Highway.

I never robbed any poor man yet
Nor any tradesman did I beset
But I've robbed lords and ladies bright
And took their gold home -- took their gold home to my heart's delight.

I robbed Lord Golding I do declare
And Lady Mansfield in Grosvenor Square
I shut the shutters and bade them goodnight
And took their gold home -- took their gold home to my heart's delight.

To Covent Garden I made my way
With my dear wife for to see the play
Lord Fielding's men they did me pursue
And I was taken -- I was taken by the cursed crew.

My father cried "oh my darling son"
My wife she wept and said "I am undone."
My mother tore her white locks and cried
"Twas in the cradle -- twas in the cradle he should have died."

And when I'm dead and in my grave
A fancy funeral pray let me have
With six bold highwaymen to carry me
Give them good broadswords
Give them broadswords and liberty.

Six pretty maidens to bear my pall
Give them white dresses and garlands all
And when I'm dead they will speak the truth
He was a wild and -- he was a wild and a wicked youth.

This work was published in 1830 and is anonymous or pseudonymous due to unknown authorship. It is in the public domain in the United States as well as countries and areas where the copyright terms of anonymous or pseudonymous works are 193 years or less since publication.

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