Lyrics:
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Long version:
I am a rake and a ramblin' one,
From Eastern shores I have lately come,
To learn my books an' to learn my trade,
Some call me the reek and ramblin' blade.
I come here a-spendin' money free,
A-spendin' money at balls and play,
At length my money did grow very low,
An' then to rovin' I did go.
I married me a handsome wife,
A girl I loved as dear as my life,
To keep her dressed so neat an' gay
Caused me to rob on this here highway.
I robbed old Nelson, I do declare,
I robbed him on St. James Square,
I robbed him of five thousand pounds,
Dividin' with my comrades round.
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But now I am condemned to die,
An' many a lady will for me cry,
Pretty Nelly weeps, tears down her hair,
A lady alone, left in despair.
My father weeps, he makes his moan,
My mother cries my darlin' son,
But all their weepin' won't never save me,
Nor keep me from the gallows tree.
When I am dead, laid in my grave,
The final funeral preached over my head,
All round my grave play tunes of joy,
Away goes the reek an' ramblin' boy.
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Short version:
Chorus:
Well I'm a rake and a rambling boy
There's many a city I did enjoy.
And now I've married me a pretty little wife
And I love her dearer than I love my life.
Pretty little wife, I love you well
I love you more than tongue can tell.
You treated me nice, both night and day
And sent me to rob on the broad highway.
Chorus
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Oh she was pretty, both neat and gay
Caused me to rob on the broad highway.
Oh yes, I robbed it, I do declare
And I got myself ten thousand there
Chorus
Oh when I die, don't bury me at all
Place my bones in alcohol.
And at my feet, place a snow white dove
To tell the world I died of love.
Chorus
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