Popular Music Of The Olden Time Vol 2

Ancient Songs, Ballads, & Dance Tunes, Sheet Music & Lyrics - online book

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662
ENGLISH SONG AND BALLAD MUSIC.
The tune is printed in the Kilkenny Journal, but I believe it to have been incorrectly noted down. The Irish are a nation possessed of great musical taste and feeling, and I cannot imagine that any one, having ears, could either sing or listen to so barbarous a thing. Still there are traces of its being a corruption of 0 rare Turpin, 0.
I make no apology to my readers for printing one highwayman's ballad; after all, these are but continuations of the exploits of Robin Hood. Nor need we go back to the Robin Hood era to find instances of the greatest ladies of the court interceding to save the lives of highwaymen, provided they were brave and handsome—witness the case of Claude Duval.
As to the origin of the tune, see " 0 good ale, thou art my darling " (p. 660).
Says Turpin, he'd ne'er find me out, I've hid my money in my boot. O, says the lawyer, there'3 none can find My gold, for its stitched in my cape behind. O rare Turpin, &c.
As they rode down by the powder mill, Turpin commands him to stand still; Said he, Your cape I must cut off", For my mare she wants a saddle cloth. O rare Turpin, &c.
This caus'd the lawyer much to fret, To think he was so fairly bit;
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And Turpin robb'd him of his store, Because he knew he'd lie for more. O rare Turpin, &c.
As Turpin rode in search of prey, He met an exciseman on the way; Then boldly he did bid him stand; Your gold, said he, I do demand. O rare Turpin, &c.
To that the exciseman did reply, Your proud demands I must deny; Before my money you receive, "One of us two shall cease to live. O rare Turpin, &c.