https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/browse?tags=rape&sort_field=Dublin+Core%2CCreator&sort_dir=d&output=atom <![CDATA[Execution Ballads]]> 2024-03-28T21:16:00+11:00 Omeka https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1205 <![CDATA[Un crime affreux à Tarbes, une fillette de 10 ans est emportée dans un cimetière, tuée et violée]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:18+11:00

Title

Un crime affreux à Tarbes, une fillette de 10 ans est emportée dans un cimetière, tuée et violée

Synopsis

Raul Habas 28 ans, Espagnol, cordonnier et fossoyeur, le 8 octobre 1931, à Tarbes (Hautes-Pyrénées), enlève Asuncion Osorno, dix ans, la viole dans une allée du nouveau cimetière Saint-Jean avant de l'étrangler. Condamné à mort le 21 juin 1932, gracié le 9 septembre 1932.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Société des Amis de Villefranche et du Bas-Rouergue, Crimino Corpus record 

Set to tune of...

C'est une chanson dans la nuit

Transcription

Encore un crime atroce, épouvantable
Commis par un sauvage,
Par une brute, un bandit misérable
Qui, pour assouvir sa rage,
S'est acharné sur une pauvre enfant,
Une fillette gentille,
Et sans pitié pour cette jeune fille,
L'assassine lâchement.

Composer of Ballad

Chabanay

Method of Punishment

guillotine

Crime(s)

rape and murder

Gender

Date

URL

https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k632664x/f2.item.r=Tarbes.zoom

Composer of Tune

Jean RODOR & DOMMEL/R. DESMOULINS

Date Tune First Appeared

1918
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1021 <![CDATA[Grande Complainte de l'horrible assassinat commis sur la famille Gayet. ]]> 2020-01-14T14:14:24+11:00

Title

Grande Complainte de l'horrible assassinat commis sur la famille Gayet.

Subtitle

Jugé devant la Cour d'Assises de Lyon, le 12 Juillet 1860. Par un habitant de pays.

Synopsis

Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or est célèbre pour un triple meurtre commis dans la nuit du 14 au 15 octobre 1859, contre les Dames Gayet : une veuve de 37 ans, sa jeune fille et sa mère, assassinées et violées pour les deux plus jeunes. L'instigateur du meurtre, un parent qui avait travaillé chez elles comme journalier et avait demandé la main de la jeune veuve, avait été éconduit en 1856 et congédié ; il se vengea trois ans plus tard. Lui et ses deux acolytes furent condamnés par la Cour impériale de Lyon en 1860 et guillotinés à Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or le 14 aoùt, à 7 heures du matin.

La violence du crime souleva l'opinion. De nombreux livres et articles de journaux, en France et dans le monde, relayèrent la nouvelle et parlèrent de l'affaire pendant de nombreuses années.

Set to tune of...

Method of Punishment

guillotine

Crime(s)

murder, rape

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or

URL

http://books.google.fr/books?id=JacOAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbsév2ésummaryér&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/948 <![CDATA[The Penitent Gallant, ]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:44+11:00

Title

The Penitent Gallant,

Subtitle

Being, An Account of a Gentleman who lay Condemn'd for the Murther of his Friend, and pretended he could not dye till he had eas'd his Conscience, in sending for thirteen Men, to beg their Pardons, whom he had Cuckolded at Branford.

Synopsis

A man convicted of murder feels guilty about cuckolding thirteen men of Branford and calls them in to confess to them before he is executed.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 4.138; EBBA 21802

Set to tune of...

Hyde Park

Transcription

THere was, I must tell you, a Jocular Spark, who Rambl'd and Revel'd at pleasure,
Young Women he often would kiss in the Dark, and tickle their Giggs out of measure;
He being a wanton young frolicksom Blade,
He was so well skill'd in the Courtezan Trade,
That in seven Weeks he declar'd that he made full thirteen poor Cuckolds in Branford.

As honest good Christians as ever broke Bread, dear friends, I would have you believe it,
Tho' each Man had lusty large Horns on his Head, alas! they could no way perceive it;
Concluding their Wives to be honest and Chaste,
Sweet Women, that hated a wanton Embrace;
Yet now after all you may pitty the Case of the thirteen poor Cuckolds of Branford.

These Cuckolds did love this young Fop as their lives, in Taverns they tippl'd together,
In Corners he kist, and made much of their Wives, whose Heels was as light as a Feather;
They were not the Rabble, I'de have you to know,
But delicate Women as plump as a Doe,
Then listen a while and the Horns you'll hear blow of the thirteen poor Cuckolds of Branford.

But if you wou'd know how this Mischief came out, I pray now attend to the Ditty,
This Gallant he murther'd a Man brave and stout, in cool Blood, the more was the pitty:
And while he in Prison Condemned did lye,
In sad Lamentation he often did cry,
He must ease his Conscience before he could dye, concerning these Cuckolds of Branford.

He told them that he was tormented in mind,
the Guilt like sharp Arrows run through him.
Beseeching the Keeper he would be so kind, as to send for these men to come to him;
Right earnestly he for this favour did plead,
The Keeper he could not deny him indeed,
And therefore to Newgate they sent for with speed, the thirteen poor Cuckolds of Branford.

So soon as the Keeper he sent for them then to come to the Gallant in Prison,
It was an astonishment to these poor Men, who wonder'd what might be the reason,
But knowing him to be their Friend, they presume,
To mount Roan and Dobbin, for Newgate they come,
Not thinking that he had put Pope into Rome, and made them the Cuckolds of Branford.

As these thirteen Cuckolds did enter the Goal, it almost bereft them of Senses,
The Gallant he begg'd with a pittiful Tale, a pardon for all his offenses,
Said he, an Extravagant Race I have run,
Forgive me the Injuries which I have done,
Alas! I have wronged you every one, My Cronyes in private in Branford.

We know not wherein you have wrong'd us, they cry'd the value or weight of a farthing;
But if you will tell us the Truth, they reply'd, you shall have our absolute Pardon;
The Gallant did then on his marrow-bones fall,
And said, your good Wives they have been at my Call,
So that in a word I have Cuckold you all, while I did inhabit at Branford.

With shaking their Noddles they turn'd them about, the foremost was Cuthbert the Hatter,
Now as in a body they came trooping out, the People cry'd, What is the matter?
A Keeper that follow'd, said clear the way wide,
Pray what do you think they should be, he reply'd,
But good honest Christians, not Men that are Try'd, the thirteen poor Cuckolds of Branford.

Crime(s)

murder, rape, sodomy

Execution Location

Branford

Printing Location

Printed for C. Bates, next door to the Crown-Tavern in West-Smithfield.

Tune Data

Hyde Park (Simpson 1966, pp. 327-8). Recording on EBBA is wrong for the meter, recording is The Crossed Couple, Tantara Rara Tantivy (Simpson 1966, pp. 143-145).
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/916 <![CDATA[The life and death of M. Geo: Sands, ]]> 2020-01-08T15:11:32+11:00

Title

The life and death of M. Geo: Sands,

Subtitle

who after many enormous crimes by him committed, with Iones and Gent his confederates, was executed at Tyburne on Wednesday the 6 of September, 1626.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 1.128-128; EBBA 20055

Set to tune of...

Flying Fame

Transcription

COme hither yongmen and give eare, and good example take,
By this which is related here for admonitions sake,
Wherein is showne the life and death, of Sands that noted theefe.
The reason why he lost his breath, is here declar'd in briefe.
That all young men from him may learne to live in better awe,
Foule vice from vertue to discerne, according to the law:
A wicked life this caitiffe led, rejecting vertues lore,
The grace of God from him was fled, all good he did abhorre.
Since first he came to any strength, he practis'd nought but stealing,
Which brought a shamefull death at length for his ungracious dealing,
He alwayes hath himselfe maintain'd by base sinister courses,
And oftentimes hath beene araign'd by Law, for stealing horses.
Yet still it was his lucke to scape, which hardned him in evill,
From theft to murder, and to rape, suborned by the Devill,
His wicked heart so bent to sin, in villany tooke pride,
There lived scarce the like of him, in all the Land beside.
His name so infamous was growne to all both far and neere,
And he tooke pride to have it knowne, as by him did appeare.
For when he was araign'd of late, at the Tribunall seat,
He seemed to exhilerate, at his offences great.
And boasted that he oftentimes had scap't the fatall cord,
For stealing horses, and such crimes, as high wayes doe afford,
And with a braving impudence, he did the Bench outface,
Not shewing any reverence, to any in that place.
The facts he was indited for, were three enornous sinnes,
Which God and nature doth abhor, the least damnation winnes,
Without the speciall grace of God, for which he never sought,
Nor never seemed to be sad, for that which he had wrought.
The Maid that on Saint James his day, was found neere Holborne dead,
Tis [t]hought this wretch did make away, if all be true that's sed.
From her he tooke away twelve pound, and then to ma[k]e all sure,
He strangled her, as she was found, his safety to procure.

The second part. To the same tune.

BUt no such crimes can be conceal'd, old time will find them out,
And have them to the world reveal'd, and publisht all about,
As this strange murder came to light, by Sands his owne confession,
When as he sought with all his might, to act a foule transgression,
Upon the body of a Maid, whom he perforce did ravish,
If she oppos'd his will he said with speeches somewhat lavish:
That if she did deny to yeeld to him, hee'd serve her so,
As he did one in Holborne field not very long agoe.
To this foule sin of ravishment he likewise did seduce
Another youngman, whose consent gave ayd to this abuse.
For which by law he hath his doome, to suffer shamefully,
Take heed young men how you do come into leud company.
For if young Jones had never seene this wicked Sands his face,
He surely now had living beene, but wanting Gods good grace,
He was allured by his meanes to live by lawlesse stealth,
Thus to maintaine strong drink & queanes he robd the commonwealth.
Some other men of good regard, he did to robbery draw,
All these with him in death have shar'd, according to the Law.
But he the chiefe occasion was of these same youngmens ends,
Whose deaths have brought to wofull passe their parents and their friends.
Among the rest one father Jones, an honest ancient man,
With lachrimable teares bemones the losse of his owne son.
But Sands hath run so [w]ild a race, that few bewaile his death,
How many flockt with joy to'th place where he did lose his breath.
His father named Sir George Sands, when by his carelesse dealing,
He had quite wasted goods and lands, did live long time by stealing:
And with his wicked Lady wife, did rob the high way side,
For which at length he lost his life, and by base hanging dyde.
Thus both the father and the sonne did end their lives alike,
The Lady yet hath scapt that death, and sorrow doth her strike.
God grant her life may now be such, that men of her may say,
Her life was leud, yet now shee's prov'd a convert at last day.
Loe here you see a fearfull end, of Sir George Sands his sonne,
Let every one a warning take, and better courses runne:
Which to effect let us all pray to him that gave us breath,
That of his mercy he'll us keepe
from such untimely death.
The following lines Jones writ with his owne hand, a little before his death.
To me death is not death, but life for ever.
My joy in heaven is, which endeth never.
Lord thou hast promist to the penitent,
That thou wilt save him if he doe repent:
And now most gratious Lord, I crave of thee.
Mercy for him that hath contemned thee,
I am a sinner (Lord) thou knowst I am,
And full of ill, above an'other man,
Yet am I free from'th fault for which I dye,
But have transgrest the Lawes most hainously. Oh save my soule, O Lord of thee I crave, Let that mount up, though body rot in grave.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

murder, rape, sodomy

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

London for F. Couls, and are to be / sold at his shop at the vpper end of the / Old Baily neere Newgate.

Tune Data

'Flying Fame' probably aka Chevy Chase, (Simpson 1966, pp. 96-101)
Date tune first appeared: 1430?

Wikipedia:  There are two extant English ballads known as The Ballad of Chevy Chase, both of which narrate the same story. As ballads existed within oral tradition before being written down, other versions of this once popular song may also have existed.

The ballads tell the story of a large hunting party upon a parcel of hunting land (or chase) in the Cheviot Hills, hence the term, Chevy Chase. The hunt is led by Percy, the English Earl of Northumberland. The Scottish Earl of Douglas had forbidden this hunt, and interprets it as an invasion of Scotland. In response he attacks, causing a bloody battle which only 110 people survived. Both ballads were collected in Thomas Percy's Reliques and the first of the ballads in Francis James Child's Child Ballads. 

The ballads are thought to have been based on the events of the Battle of Otterburn in 1388, although the account of the battle is not historically accurate and it may relate to border skirmishes up to fifty years later. Nevertheless, the first ballad includes the lines

This was the hontynge off the Cheviat, that tear begane this spurn; Old men that knowen the grownde well yenoughe call it the battell of Otterburn. There is also a third ballad named The Battle of Otterburn which is assuredly about this battle.

First ballad: The first of the two ballads of Chevy Chase was perhaps written as early as the 1430s, but the earliest record we have of it is in The Complaynt of Scotland, one of the first printed books from Scotland. The Complaynt of Scotland was printed about 1540, and in it the ballad is called The Hunting of Cheviot.

Sir Philip Sidney said of this early ballad:
"I never Heard the old song of Percie and Douglas, that I found not my heart moved more than with a trumpet" -- Defence of Poesy.

Second ballad: In 1711 Joseph Addison wrote in The Spectator,
The old song of "Chevy-Chase" is the favourite ballad of the common people of England, and Ben Jonson used to say he had rather have been the author of it than of all his works. Sir Philip Sidney, in his discourse of Poetry, speaks of it in the following words: "I never heard the old song of Percy and Douglas that I found not my heart more moved than with a trumpet; and yet it is sung by some blind crowder with no rougher voice than rude style, which being so evil apparelled in the dust and cobweb of that uncivil age, what would it work trimmed in the gorgeous eloquence of Pindar?" For my own part, I am so professed an admirer of this antiquated song, that I shall give my reader a critique upon it without any further apology for so doing.

Addison was apparently unaware that the ballad he then goes on to analyse in detail was not the same work praised by Sidney and Jonson. The second of the ballads appears to have been written in modernized English shortly after Sidney's comments, perhaps around 1620, and to have become the better-known version.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/899 <![CDATA[The Bloody Butcher, And the two wicked and cruel Bawds: ]]> 2020-01-08T15:03:57+11:00

Title

The Bloody Butcher, And the two wicked and cruel Bawds:

Subtitle

Exprest in a woful Narrative of one Nathaniel Smith a Butcher, who lived in Maypole-Alley near the Strand; his Wife having been all day in the Market selling of Meat, in the evening went with her Husband to an Alehouse, where they stay'd till ten of the clock. and then went home together, and being in their lodging, demanded of her the Money she had taken that day, but she (being great with child and peevish) refused to give it him, he taking his Butchers-knife in his hand stabb'd her in the back, whereof she instantly dyed, for which he was Apprehended, Condemned, and Executed at Tyburn, April the 24th. 1667. As also another Relation of a Ravisher, who in a Bawdy-house (assisted by two Women) ravished a Girle.

Synopsis

2 stories: one of domestic violence ending in murder, the other of the rape of a child with two women as accessories.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Glasgow University Library - Euing, Shelfmark: Euing Ballads 20; EBBA 31663

Set to tune of...

Transcription

What horrid execrable Crimes,
Possess us in these latter Times;
Not Pestilence, nor Sword, nor Fire,
Will make us from our Sins retyre.

Two sad Relations that befel
Us in this Month, I shall you tell,
As dismal dreadful Deeds they be,
As ever you did hear or see.


One was the Murther of a Wife,
By wrathful Hand, and bloody Knife;
T'other declares those that defil'd,
The Virgin body of a Child.

A Butcher, as we understand,
Liv'd near the May-pole in the Strand;
Nathaniel Smith, who lost his life,
For the sad slaughter of his wife.

After so many years their hands,
Had been conjoyn'd in wedlock bands,
Whereby came many Children small,
One wretched hour confounds them all.

This Butchers Wife did keep a Seat
I'th Market-place to sell her Meat;
And was by all report that's made,
A careful house-wife in the Trade.

One fatal Evening being come,
From Market, to her latest home,
She and her Husband both went then,
To a Victualling-house and staid till ten.

The second part, to the same tune.

Then went together home, where when
A little season they had been;
He in a bold imperious way,
Demands the Coin she took that day.

She being with Child, and fretful too,
What he commands she would not do;
Which, with his drink begat a rage,
Nothing but Murther could asswage.
Words made his passion mount up higher
She was the bellows, he the fire:
Words are but wind, buy yet they do,
Pierce through the Soul and Body too.

The Devil had subdued him there,
And whisper'd Murther in his ear;
Which he impatient of delay,
Doth perpetrate the readiest way.

With a strong long sharp-poynted knife,
Into the back he stabs his wife:
Flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone,
With one dead-doing blow is gone.

She faltred, fainted, fell down dead,
Upon the ground her bloud was shed;
The little Infant in the womb
Received there both Life and Tomb.

Then was he Apprehended, by
Some Neighbours that did hear her cry
But Murther, murther, and for this,
He judgd and Executed is.

Let this a warning be to those,
Whose Passions are their greatest Foes:
And let all Women have a care,
To stir those that impatient are.

Ten angry words with wrath and knife,
Has kil'd a husband and a Wife;
An Infant too, which makes up Three,
And ruin'd a whole family.

But mischiefs seldome come alone,
My Muse hath yet another Groan;
A sigh, a tear, and much of moan,
To tell a Deed but lately done.

There was one Mary, a grand Bawd,
That liv'd by Lechery and Fraud;
Assisted by her Daughter Bess,
Did keep a house of wickedness.

They liv'd at Westminster, where they,
Many a Virgin did betray:
Those wicked actions made them rue,
This fact they did, which I'le tell you.

It seems a fellow thither came,
To pacifie his lustful flame;
Having a fire of Drink before,
Came to be quenched by a Whore.

They being destitute, did meet,
A Neighbours Daughter in the street;
A pretty Child, and as 'tis told,
By many, but of Ten years old.

Yet she is tempted in by them,
To serve their turn in that extream,
And then deliver'd up to One,
Was more a Devil than a Man.

Unto this weak unwary Child,
That was unfit to be defil'd;
In order to their base Design,
They give it Brandy, Ale, and Wine.

Their hot Guest for a Wench doth call,
They brought him One, but very small;
It serv'd his turn, and he did fly,
At his small Game, they standing by,

The Child resisted and cryed out,
The old Bawd choak'd her with a Clout
Stop'd in the mouth; the Fellow spoil'd,
With furious lust the fainting Child.

The Fellow having Ravished,
This tender Child, away he fled:
But what he was, or who, is known
Not as I hear, to any one.

The two that held, and stopt her breath,
Most justly now have suffer'd Death;
Such pitty 'tis that he is free'd,
By flight, that did the filthy Deed.

Thus have I told you Two sad Crime,
Committed in these worst of Times;
Let all that hear me now, by this,
Take warning not to do amiss.

Return to God, reform your Lives,
Men be not bitter to your wives:
Wives love you Husbands, for bad words
Have drawn a hundred thousand swords.

Let Love and Patience both agree,
To keep us all in Amity;
Then all our bloody Broyls will cease,
God save the King, and send us Peace.


Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

murder, rape

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

London, Printed by E. Crowch, for F. Coles, / T. Vere, and J. Wright.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/879 <![CDATA[Execution of the Purfleet murderer at Springfield gaol]]> 2020-01-08T14:25:20+11:00

Title

Execution of the Purfleet murderer at Springfield gaol

Synopsis

Richard Coates, a military schoolmaster at an establishment for the education of the children of soldiers at Purfleet Garrison, Essex, is convicted of the murder of Alice Boughen, aged six, in 1875. He beat her to death after attempting to violate her. He killed the child in a school closet then carried her body down to a riverbank, intending to throw it into the water. He was unable to lift it over a railing near the river and returned to the school. He was seen carrying the body back and was arrested. He confessed his guilt in the condemned cell and blamed it on drink. Executed 29 March 1875, Springfield Prison Chelmsford. Executioner was William Marwood.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, Shelfmark: Harding B 14(183); Bodleian Ballads Online Bod14516

Set to tune of...

Driven From Home

Transcription

Upon Easter Monday within Chelmsford gaol,
A murderer, when dying, his crime doth bewail,
Upon the dark scaffold he drew his last breath,
The penalty of murder he paid with his death.
Richard Coates was his name, by Satan beguiled,
He outraged so cruel a dear little child,
And all through the country it has been the cry,
His sentence was just, he deserved to die.
CHORUS
Gone from this life, gone from the world,
By the hands of the hangman to Eternity hurled,
May heaven forgive him, is all we can say,
As we hope for forgiveness on our dying day.

There never was known such a cowardly crime,
That we are relating at this present time.
It is dreadful to think there could be a man,
W[?]om,[?] is senses this murder could plan.
He pleaded 'not guilty' almost to the last,
Till he saw all the chance of forgiveness was past.
His poor mother begg'd him the truth to unfold,
And confess to his crime for the sake of his soul.
CHORUS
He took the poor child to the closet, [?]
Innocent and smiling to her death she [?]
He murdered her there at at he bottom of [?] field,
And beneath his great coat her dead body conceal'd,
He went to the edge of the wide rolling sea,
To throw the child in but it was not to be,
Tho' time after time the villain did try,
He could not reach over the pailings so high.

When he found that his crime he could not conceal,
He left the child's body 'neath the grass in the field,
Where the dear little angel soon after was found,
By those who so long had been searching around.
They seized him and ask'd him the crime to explain,
He cried 'I'm not guilty' again and again;
They could not believe him in spite of denial,
They sent him to gaol to wait for his trial.

As he walked from the cell through the sweet morning air,
At the end of the prison the gallows was there,
Twas the last time h'ed gaze on that beautiful sky,
As he walked to the spot where he knew he must die.
The [?] was ready, deep sounded the bell,
Twas scarcely a moment before the drop fell,
The murderer, Coates, from the world he was torn,
His body was there, but his dear life was gone.

May his fate be a warning to both old and young,
May it be an example to everyone,
From the straight path of duty never to stray,
Or we shall regret it on our dying day.
The murderer now is gone from this world,
By [?] folly to destruction is hurled,
Then pray let us all to this warning attend,
And may Heaven preserve us from his fearful den.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

murder, rape

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Springfield Prison, Chelmsford

Printing Location

Preston : Harkness, J.

Tune Data

Composer: William Shakespeare Hays (1837-1907)
Date tune first appeared: 1868
Link: Public Domain Music
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/878 <![CDATA[Execution of the Purfleet Murderer]]> 2020-01-08T14:25:21+11:00

Title

Execution of the Purfleet Murderer

Synopsis

Richard Coates, a military schoolmaster at an establishment for the education of the children of soldiers at Purfleet Garrison, Essex, is convicted of the murder of Alice Boughen, aged six, in 1875.
He beat her to death after attempting to violate her. He killed the child in a school closet then carried her body down to a riverbank, intending to throw it into the water. He was unable to lift it over a railing near the river and returned to the school. He was seen carrying the body back and was arrested. He confessed his guilt in the condemned cell and blamed it on drink. Executed 29 March 1875, Springfield Prison Chelmsford. Executioner was William Marwood.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, Shelfmark: Harding B 14(184); Bodleian Ballads Online Bod14517

Set to tune of...

Transcription

Richard Coates, that cruel murderer,
Now is cold within his grave,
None could show him any pity,
None stretch forth a hand to save;
His horrid crime was so unmanly,
I'm sure we no excuse could give.
He did disgrace our gallant soldiers,
And he was not fit to live.

CHORUS
Richard Coates, the Purfleet murderer,
On Easter Monday met his doom;
He killed the soldier's little daughter,
Now he's dead and in his tomb.

For the murder of poor Alice Bougham
He justly was condemned to die,
For a murder so outrageous,
The country for his death did cry;
You never heard or ever read of
Such treatment to a little child,
Altho' so innocent and so loving,
Cruelly murdered and defiled.

A full confession of the murder
To the chaplain he has made,
He has told the truth to those around him,
For which his poor old mother prayed;
He took his victim to the closet,
Frightful was his conduct there,
He took her life in a cruel manner,
Before his death he did declare.

He tried to throw his victim's body
Over the pailings in the sea,
The fence was high, he could not do it,
It was ordained it should not be;
Could he have thrown her in the water,
And the tide have carried her away, ,
The murder of the soldier's daughter
Would not have been found out to-day.

He might have done well in the army,
In the barracks he was born,
Alas! he has disgraced his father,
Who the uniform has worn;
Heaven help his poor old mother,
She has been a true good soldier's wife,
She would sooner have seen him shot in action,
Than in such a way to lose his life.

Then let us all now take a warning
By his sad and fearful end,
Don't give way to unholy passion,
Nor against the laws offend;
Try to be honest and be sober,
I'm sure you'll find it is the best,
In the world let's do our duty,
As we hope in heaven to rest.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

rape, murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Springfield Prison Chelmsford

Printing Location

Preston : Harkness, J.

Tune Data

Composer of Tune: George F. Root (1820-1895)
Date tune first appeared: 1864
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