Maid and the Robber A beautiful fair maid in London did dwell For wit and for beauty none could her excell For the keeping of her home for seven long years And what followed after you soon shall hear She's ta'en her box upon her head and carried it along The first that she met was a stout and able man He says, "My pretty fair maid, where are you going this way? Oh I'll show you the nigh road accross the country" He took her by the hand and he led her to a glen "Now my pretty fair maid, I mean to tell you plain Deliver up your money without work or strife Or this very moment I will take away your life" This pretty fair maid fell a-trembling with fear Not knowing where to run or how to get clear But as he was a-fumbling a-feeling for his knife This pretty fair maid she took away his life She's ta'en her box upon her head and carried it along The next that she met was a noble gentleman He says, "My pretty fair maid, where are you going so late Or what was the noise I heard at yonder gate?" She took him by the hand and she led him to the place Where the stout and able fellow lay bleeding on his face "He tried for to rob me, but I soon let him know That feeling for his pocket knife did prove his overthrow" They riped his pockets to see what he had got They found some loaded pistols, some powder and some shot They got four loaded pistols, some powder and some balls And a whistle to put to his mouth the robbers for to call He put the whistle to his mouth, he blew it load and shrill And four gallant horsemen came riding o'er the hill This gentleman shot one of them, and that was speedily And this pretty fair maid she shot the other three "Now my pretty fair maid, for what you have done I'll make you my bride, love, and that before it's long I'll make you my bride love and that before it's long For the acting of your part and the firing of your gun" DT #419 Laws L3 printed in Gavin Grieg SOF
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!