The Ballad of Tim Evans (Ewan MacColl) Tim Evans was a prisoner, Fast in his prison cell And those who read about his crimes, They damned his soul to hell, Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down." For the murder of his own dear wife And the killing of his own child The jury found him guilty And the hangin' judge, he smiled. Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down." Tim Evans pleaded innocent And he swore by Him on high, That he never killed his own dear wife Nor caused his child to die. Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down." The governor came in one day And the chaplain by his side, Said, "Your appeal has been turned down, Prepare yourself to die." Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down." They moved him out of C-block To his final flowery dell, And day and night two screws were there And they never left his cell. Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down." Sometimes they played draughts with him And solo and pontoon, To stop him brooding on the rope That was to be his doom. Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down." They brought his grub in on a tray, There was eggs and meat and ham, And all the snout that he could smoke Was there at his command. Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down." Tim Evans walked in the prison yard And the screws, they walked behind; And he saw the sky above the wall But he knew no peace of mind. Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down." They came for him at eight o'clock And the chaplain read a prayer And then they marched him to that place Where the hangman did prepare. Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down." The rope was fixed around his neck And a washer behind his ear. The prison bell was tolling But Tim Evans did not hear. Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down." A thousand lags were cursing And a-banging on the doors; But Evans couldn't hear them, He was deaf for ever more. Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down." They sent Tim Evans to the drop For a crime he did not do. It was Christy was the murderer And the judge and jury too. Sayin', "Go down, you murderers, go down." ("Go Down You Murderer" on Bad Lads and Hard Cases, Riverside also "Go Down Ye Murderers" on Chorus from the Gallows, Topic ) AJS oct97
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!