<![CDATA[Execution Ballads]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/browse?tags=robbery&sort_field=added&sort_dir=a&output=rss2 Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:48:04 +1100 una.mcilvenna@unimelb.edu.au (Execution Ballads) Zend_Feed http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss <![CDATA[A new Ballad intituled, the stout Cripple of Cornwall]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/853

Title

A new Ballad intituled, the stout Cripple of Cornwall

Subtitle

wherein is shewed his dissolute life and deserved death. To the tune of, the blind Begger .

Synopsis

An amputee ('he had never a legge to the knee')begs on the highway in daylight hours, but at night, disguises himself with stilts to rob travellers. Although his attempt to rob the Lord Courtney is botched, eventually he is caught and all are amazed.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 1.136; EBBA 20003; (see also Roxburghe 1.389 EBBA ID: 30262; Roxburghe 1.446, EBBA 30300; Roxburghe 3.616-617, EBBA 31316; Euing 1.241, EBBA 31790 ; Euing 1.242, EBBA 31791).

Set to tune of...

The blind beggar

Transcription

O F a stout Cripple that kept the high way,
and beg'd for his living all time of the day,
A story Ile tell you that pleasant shall be,
the Cripple of Cornwall sir-named was he.
He crept on his hands and his knees up and down,
in a torne Jacket and ragged patcht Gowne:
For he had never a legge to the knee,
the Cripple of Cornwall sir [-] named was hee.
He was of stomacke couragious and stout,
for he had no cause to complaine of the Gout:
To goe upon stilts most cunning was hee,
with a staffe on his necke gallant and free.
Yea, no good fellowship would he forsake,
were it in secret a purse for to take:
His helpe was as good as any might be,
the Cripple of Cornwall sir-named was he.
When he upon any such service did goe,
the craftie young Cripple provided it so:
His tooles he kept close in an old hollow Tree,
that stood from the Citie a mile two or three.
Thus all the day long he begd for reliefe,
and late in the night he plaid the false Theefe:
And seven yeares together this custome kept he,
and no man knew him such a person to be.
There were few Grasiers went on the way,
but unto the Cripple for passage did pay,
And every brave Merchant that he did descry,
he emptied their purses ere they passed by.
The gallant Lord Courtney both valiant and bold,
rode forth with great plentie of silver and Gold:
At Exeter there a purchase to pay.
but that the false Cripple his journey did stay.
For why the false Cripple heard tydings of late,
as he lay for almes at this Noblemans gate:
What day and what houre his journey should be,
this is (quoth the Cripple) a bootie for me.
Then to his Companions the matter he moned,
which their like actions beforetime had proned:
They make themselves ready & deeply they sweare
this mony's their owne before they come there.
Upon his two stilts the Cripple doth mount,
to have his best share he makes his account:
All clothed in Canvas downe to the ground,
he takes up his standing his mates with him round
Then comes the L.Courtney with halfe a scoremen
that little suspecting these theeves in their den:
And they perceiving them come to their hand,
in a darke evening they bid him to stand.
Deliver thy purse quoth the Cripple with speed,
for we be good fellowes and thereof have need:
Not so, quoth Lord Courtney , but this I tell thee,
win it, and weare it, else get none of me.
With that the Lord Courtney stood in his defence,
and so did his servants, but ere they went [hence]
Two of the true men were slaine in the fight,
and foure of the theeves were put to their flight
And while for their safegard they ran thus away,
the jolly bold Cripple did hold the rest play:
And with his pike-staffe he wounded them so,
as they were unable to runne or to goe.
With fight the L. Courtney was driven out of breath
and most of his servants wounded to death:
Then came other horsemen riding so fast,
the Cripple was forced to flie at the last,
And over a River that ran there beside,
which was very deepe and eighteene foot wide:
With his long staffe and his stilts leaped hee,
and shifted himselfe in an old hollow Tree.
Then thorow the Country was hue and cry made,
to have these theeves apprehended and stayde:
The Cripple he creeps on his hands and his knees,
and on the high way great posting he sees.
And as they came riding he begging doth say,
O give me one penny, good Master, I pray:
And thus unto Exeter creepes he along,
no man suspecting that he had done wrong.
Anon the Lord Courtney he spyde in the street
he comes unto him and kisses his feet:
Saying, God save your honor & keepe you from il,
and from the hands of your enemies still.
Amen qouth L. Courtney , and therewith flung downe
unto the poore Cripple an English Crowne:
Away went the Cripple and thus he did thinke,
500 . pounds more would make me to drinke.
In vaine that hue and cry it was made,
they found none of them though the Countrey was layd:
But this grieved the Cripple both night and day,
that he so unluckily mist of his pray.
Nine hundred pounds this Cripple had got,
by begging and robbing so good was his lot,
A thousand pound he would make it he said,
and then hee would quite give over his trade.
But as he strived his minde to fulfill,
in following his actions so lewd and so ill,
At last he was taken the law to suffice,
condemned and hanged at Exeter [sise].
Which made all men amazed to see,
that such an impotent person as hee,
Should venture himselfe to such actions as they,
to rob in such sort upon the high way.


F I N I S.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

robbery; theft

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Exeter

Printing Location

London, Printed for J .W.

URL

EEBO link to later (1750) version. Words are mostly unchanged (institutional login required). 
PepysC_1_136_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:21 +1000
<![CDATA[An Excellent Ballad of George Barnwel an Apprentice in London,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/868

Title

An Excellent Ballad of George Barnwel an Apprentice in London,

Subtitle

who was undone by a Strumpet, who thrice Robbed his Master, and Murdered his Uncle in Ludlow.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Shelfmark: Pepys Ballads 2.158-159; EBBA 20778

Set to tune of...

Transcription

A LL Youths of fair England, that dwell both far and near,
Regard my Story that I tell and to my Song give ear:
A London Lad I was, a Merchants Prentice bound,
My name George Barnwel, that did spend my Master many a pound.

Take heed of Harlots then, and their inticing trains,
For by that means I have bin brought to hang alive in Chains.
As I upon a Day was walking through the street,
About my Masters business, I did a wanton meet,

A gallant dainty Dame, and sumptuous in attire,
With smiling looks she greeted me, and did my name require:
Which when I had declar'd, she gave me then a kiss
And said if I would come to her, I should have more than this:

In faith my Boy (quoth she) such news I can you tell,
As shall rejoyce thy very heart, then come where I do dwell.
Fair Mistris, then said I, if I the place may know,
This evening I will be with you, for I abroad must go

To gather Monies in, that is my Masters due,
And e're that I do home return, i'le come and visit you.
Good Barnwel , then (quoth she) do thou to Shoreditch come,
And ask for mistris Milwood there, next door unto the Gun.

And trust me on my truth, if thou keep touch with me,
For thy Friends sake, and as my own heart thou shalt right welcome be.
Thus parted we in peace, and home I passed right,
Then went abroad and gathered in by six a Clock at night.

An hundred pound and one, with Bag under my arm,
I went to Mistris Milwoods house, and thought on little harm:
And knocking at the door, straightway her self came down,
Rustling in most brave attire, her Hood and silken Gown.

Who through her beauty bright, so gloriously did shine,
That she amaz'd my dazling eyes, she seemed so divine.
She took me by the hand, and with a modest grace,
Welcome sweet Barnwel, then (quod she, unto this homely place:

Welcome ten thousand times, more welcome then my Brother,
And better welcome I protest than any one or other:
And seeing I have thee found as good as thy word to be,
A homely Supper e're thou part, thou shalt take here with me:

O pardon me (quoth I) fair Mistris I you pray,
For why, out of my Masters house so long I dare not stay.
Alas good Sir she said, are you so strictly ty'd,
You may not with your dearest friend one hour or two abide?

Faith then the case is hard, if it be so (quoth she)
I would I were a Prentice bound, to live in house with thee.
Therefore my sweetest George, list well what I do say,
And do not blame a woman much, her fancy to bewray.

Let not affections force, be counted lewd desire,
Nor think it not immodesty I should thy love require.
With that she turn'd aside, and with a blushing red,
A mournful motion she bewray'd, by holding down her head:

A Handkerchief she had all wrought with Silk and Gold,
Which she to stay her trickling tears, against her eyes did hold.
This thing unto my sight was wondrous rare and strange,
And in my mind and inward thoughts it wrought a sudden change:

That I so hardy was, to take her by the hand,
Saying, sweet Mistris why do you so sad and heavy stand?
Call me no Mistris now, but Sarah thy true friend,
Thy servant Sarah honouring thee until her life doth end:

If thou would'st here alledge thou art in years a Boy,
So was Adonis , yet was he fair Venus love and joy.
Thus I that ne'r before of woman found such grace,
And seeing now so fair a Dame give me a kind imbrace.

I supt with her that night with joys that did abound,
And for the same paid presently, in money twice three pound:
An hundred Kisses then, for my farewel she gave,
Saying sweet Barnwel when shall I again thy company have:

O stay not too long my dear, sweet George have me in mind:
Her words bewitcht my childishness, she uttered them so kind.
So that I made a vow, next Sunday without fail.
With my sweet Sarah once again to tell some pleasant Tale.

When she heard me say so, the tears fell from her eyes,
O George, quoth she, if thou dost fail, thy Sarah sure will dye.
Though long, yet loe at last, the 'pointed day was come,
That I must with my Sarah meet, having a mighty sum

Of Money in my hand, unto her house went I,
Whereas my Love upon her bed in saddest sort did lye,
What ails my hearts delight, my Sarah dear, quoth I ,
Let not my Love lament and grieve, nor sighing pine and dye,

But tell to me my dearest friend, what may thy woes amend,
And thou shalt lack no means of help, though forty pound I spend,
With that she turn'd her head and sickly thus did say,
O my sweet George my grief is great ten pounds I have to pay

Unto a cruel Wretch, and God knows quoth she,
I have it not, Tush rise quoth he, and take it here of me:
Ten pounds, nor ten times ten shall make my love decay,
Then from his Bag into her lap, he cast ten pound straightway.

All blith and pleasant then, to banquetting they go,
She proffered him to lye with her, and said it should be so:
And after that same time, I have her store of Coyn,
Yea, sometimes fifty pound at once, all which I did purloyn.

And thus I did pass on, until my Master then,
Did call to have his reckoning in cast up among his Men.
The which when as I heard, I knew not what to say,
For well I knew that I was out two hundred pounds that day.

Then from my Master straight I ran in secret sort,
And unto Sarah Milwood then my state I did report.
But how she us'd this Youth, in this his extream need,
The which did her necessity so oft with Money feed:

The Second Part behold, shall tell it forth at large,
And shall a Strumpets wily ways, with all her tricks discharge

The Second Part, to the same Tune.

Here comes young Barnwel unto thee sweet Sarah my delight,
I am undone except thou stand my faithful friend this night:
Our Master to command accounts, hath just occasion found,
And I am found behind the hand almost two hundred pound:

And therefore knowing not at all, what answer for to make,
And his displeasure to escape, my way to thee I take:
Hoping in this extremity, thou wilt my succour be,
That for a time I may remain in safety here with thee.

With that she nit and bent her brows, and looking all aquoy,
Quoth she, what should I have to do with any Prentice Boy?
And seeing you have purloyn'd & got your Masters goods away,
The case is bad, and therefore here I mean thou shalt not stay

Why sweet heart thou knowst, he said that all which I did get,
I have it and did spend it all upon thee every whit:
Thou knowst I loved thee so well, thou could'st not ask the thing,
But that I did incontinent the same unto thee bring.

Quoth she thou art a paultry Jack, to charge me in this sort,
Being a Woman of credit good, and known of good report:
A nd therefore this I tell thee flat, be packing with good speed,
I do defie thee from my heart, and scorn thy filthy deed.

I s this the love and friendship which thou didst to me protest?
Is this the great affection which you seemed to express?
Now fie on all deceitful shows, the best is I may speed.
To get a Lodging any where, for money in my need:

Therefore false woman now farewel, while twenty pound doth last,
My anchor in some other Haven I will with wisdom cast.
When she perceived by his words. that he had money store,
That she had gull'd him in such sort, it griev'd her heart full sore:

Therefore to call him back again, she did suppose it best.
Stay George quoth she, thou art too quick why man I do but jest;
Think'st thou for all my passed speech that I would let thee go?
Faith no. quod she, my love to thee I wis is more then so.

You will not deal with Prentice boys I heard you even now swear,
Therefore I will not trouble you, my George heark in thine ear.
Thou shalt not go to night quod she, what chance so e're befall,
But man we'l have a bed for thee, or else the Devil take all.

Thus I that was with wiles bewitcht and shar'd with fancy still.
Had not the power to put away, or to withstand her will.
Then wine and wine I called in, and cheer upon good cheer,
And nothing in the world I thought for Sarahs love too dear:

Whilst I was in her company in joy and merriment,
And all too little I did think, that I upon her spent.
A fig for care and careful thoughts, when all my Gold is hone,
I n faith my Girl we will have more, whoever it light upon.

My Father's rich, why then, quod I, should I want any Gold?
With a Father indeed, quoth she, a Son may well be bold.
I have a Sister richly wed, i'le rob her e're i'le want;
Why then, quod Sarah , they may well consider of your scant.

Nay more than this, an Uncle I have at Ludlow he doth dwell,
He is a Grasier, which in wealth doth all the rest excell:
E're I will live in lack, quoth he, and have no Coyn for thee,
I 'le rob his House, and murder him, why should you not, quoth she:

E're I would want were I a man, or live in poor Estate,
On Father, friends, and all my Kin, I would be Talons grate:
For without money, George, quod she, a Man is but a Beast,
And bringing Money thou shalt be always my chiefest Guest.

For say thou should'st pursued be with twenty Hues and Crys,
And with a Warrant searched for with Argus hundred Eyes:
Yet in my House thou shalt be safe, such privy ways there be,
That if they sought an hundred years they could not find out thee.

And so carousing in their Cups, their pleasures to content,
George Barnwel had in little space his money wholly spent.
Which being done, to Ludlow then he did provide to go,
To rob his wealthy Uncle then, his Minion would it so

And once or twice he thought to take his Father by the way,
But that he thought his master had took order for his stay.
D irectly to his Uncle then he rose with might and main,
Where with welcome and good cheer he did him entertain:

A Sennets space he stayed there, until it chanced so,
His Unkle with his Cattle did unto a market go:
His Kinsman needs must Ride with him, and when he saw right plain,
Great store of money he had took, in coming home again,

Most suddenly within a Wood he struck his Uncle down,
And beat his brains out of his head, so sore he crackt his crown:
And fourscore pound in ready coyn out of his Purse he took,
And coming into London Town, the Country quite forsook.

To Sarah Milwood then he came, shewing his store of Gold,
And how he had his Uncle stain, to her he plainly told.
Tush, it's no matter George, quod she, so we the money have,
To have good chear in jolly sort, and deck us fine and brave.

And this they liv'd in filthy sort, till all his store was gone,
And means to get them any more, I wis poor George had none.
And therefore now in railing sort, she thrust him out of door,
Which is the just reward they get, that spend upon a Whore.

O do me not this foul disgrace in this my need, quoth he,
She call'd him Thief and Murderer, with all despight might be.
And to the Constable she went to have him Apprehended,
And shew'd in each degree how far he had the Law offended.

When Barnwel saw her drift, to Sea he got straightway,
Where fear & dread & conscience sting upon himself doth stay:
Unto the Mayor of London then, he did a Letter write,
Wherein his own and Sarahs faults he did at large recite.

Whereby she apprehended was, and then to Ludlow sent,
Where she was judg'd, condemn'd and hang'd, for murder incontinent.
And there this gallant Quean did dye this was her greatest gains:
For Murder in Polonia, was Barnwel hang'd in Chains.

Lo, here's the end of wilful youth, that after Harlots haunt,
Who in the spoil of other men, about the streets do flaunt.

Method of Punishment

hanging, hanging in chains

Crime(s)

robbery, murder

Gender

Execution Location

Ludlow and Polonia

Printing Location

Printed for J. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T. Passinger.

Notes

For more on this ballad and the tune it is set to, see Research by Una McIlvenna: ‘The Rich Merchant Man, or, What the Punishment of Greed Sounded Like in Early Modern English Ballads’, Huntington Library Quarterly 79, no. 2 (Summer 2016) Special Issue: 'Living English Broadside Ballads, 1550-1750: Song, Art, Dance, Culture', eds. Patricia Fumerton and Megan Palmer-Browne: 279-299
PepysC_2_158-159_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:23 +1000
<![CDATA[CRIMINALS CRUELTY.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/875

Title

CRIMINALS CRUELTY.

Subtitle

Giving a Just and true Account of one Iohn Wise, who together with Richard Iones, and Charles Tooley yet untaken, did one Sunday night being the twentieth of April, commit that Barbarous and Unnatural Murther on Elizabeth Fairbank, Widdow, who lived in a Seller, at Picadilly, that Robbed and Rifled her, being of Money and Plate, and Rings, for which fact Iohn Wise at present was found guilty, and accordingly received the due Sentance of Death, the which was Executed on Friday, the 17tnth, of this instant October, 1684. at PICKADILLY.

Synopsis

Three men, John Wise, Richard Jones, and Charles Tooley rob a widow and murder her; Jones and Tooley go on the run the next day but Wise is arrested. Tooley confesses on his deathbed, which his wife reveals and the other two are then punished. The last two stanzas are in Wise's voice.

Digital Object


Image notice

Full size images of all ballad sheets available at the bottom of this page.

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.153; EBBA 20771. Audio recording by Molly McKew.

Set to tune of...

Transcription

O H! this would make a stony heart Lament,
That men should be so vild and insolent:
They will proceed in their unlawful trade,
Though many still are sad examples made.

They'l Rob, and will defraud men of their due
Not fearing any thing that will ensue:
And in A Pitious course of Life run on,
Contrary to the Law of God and man.

Thus do they work their wits both night and day,
Still to contrive how they may work their prey:
Their wills are working to a base intent,
But yet at last too late they may repent.

When people by their care doth something save,
They'l Rob them of their lives for what they have:
This is the highest act of Villany,
Their guiltless blood it will for Vengeance cry.

Alas, that any Murther should lye hid,
From true Discovery, the Lord forbid:
Though they commit it ne'r so secretly,
They cannot hide from Gods all-seeing-eye.

Last April the twentieth day at night,
Those Villains did commit a sad Exploit:
Three Criminals together they agreed,
And did commit a Murther there indeed--

The Widdow Fairbank as it's known full well,
She in a Cellar all alone did dwell:
To whom those Villains went without delay,
And of her life and goods they made their pray.

They with a Hankerchief did stop her breath,
They also broke her neck, thus wrought her death;
They robbed her, and then away they fled,
And leaving of her murthered on the Bed.

At length it seems one coming down that night,
Where they beheld this sad and dismal sight,
Undoubtedly it did them much surprize,
To see this sudden change before their eyes.

Those Criminals made their escape away,
That night to Westminster without delay:
Then Richard Jones, Charls Tooley, and John Wise,
Among them they did share that fatal prize.

Next day they were in a most wooful case,
Their very Conscience flying in their face,
When Jones and Tooley thought of what they'd done
They were possest with fear, and forc'd to run.

But Wise was taken, and in Prison cast,
And Tooleys wife returned again at last:
Then all their Villany was open laid,
By what her Husband on his Death-bed said.

Thus may we see, how Murthers are found out
By what strange means it may be brought about:
For God who is the Righteous Judge of all,
Such Criminals he will to Justice call.

Wise was Arraigned, in process of time,
And was found Guilty of this cruel Crime:
He then received Sentence for to dye,
The Just reward of this his Cruelty.

Now may this grieve some hundreds for to see,
That he deserv'd to dye so shamefully:
O that his death may now a warning be,
To every one of high or low degree.

All you that sees or hears my fatal end,
Observe my words, to you a dying friend:
In evil Courses never take delight,
It is the ready Rode to ruine quite.

I do Repent that e're I run astray,
I might have lived many a happy day:
My Wicked life has hastned death more soon,
And now my Morning Sun goes down at Noon.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

robbery, murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Piccadilly

Printing Location

Printed for I. Deacon, at the Angel in Guiltspur-street,/ without Newgate.

Tune Data

Fortune my foe, is also known as, Aim not too high
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:24 +1000
<![CDATA[Luke Huttons lamentation:]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/884

Title

Luke Huttons lamentation:

Subtitle

which he wrote the day before his death, being condemned to be hanged at Yorke this last assises for his robberies and trespasses committed.

Synopsis

Highwayman Luke Hutton is hanged for his crimes in York

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Huntington Library - Britwell, Shelfmark: HEH18307; EBBA 32346

Set to tune of...

Wandering and wavering

Transcription

I Am a poore prisoner condemned to dye,
ah woe is me woe is me for my great folly,
Fast fettred in yrons in place where I lie
Be warned yong wantons, hemp passeth green holly
My parents were of good degree
by whom I would not counselled be,
Lord Jesu forgive me with mercy releeve me,
Receive O sweet saviour my spirit unto thee.

My name is Hutton, yea Luke of bad life
ah woe is me woe is me for my great folly:
Which on the highway robd man and wife,
be warned yong wantons, etc.
Inticed by many a gracelesse mate,
Whose counsel I repent too late. Lord, etc.

Not twentie yeeres old alas was I
ah woe is me woe is me, etc.
When I began this fellonie
be warned yong wantons, etc.
With me went stil twelve yeomen, tall
Which I did my twelve a Apostles call. Lord, etc.

There was no Squire nor barron bold
ah woe is me woe is me for my great folly:
That rode the way with silver or gold,
be warned yong wantons, etc.
But I and my twelve Apostles gaie,
would lighten their load ere they went away, lord, etc.

This newes procured my kins-folkes griefe,
ah woe is me woe is me
They hearing I was a famous theefe
be warned yong wantons,
They wept they wailde they wrong their hands
that thus I should hazard life and lands. lord, etc.

They made me a Jaylor a little before, ah woe, etc.
to keep in prison offenders store, be warned, etc.
But such a Jaylor was never none,
I went and let them out everie one. lord, etc.

I wist their sorrow sore grieved me
ah woe is mee, etc.
Such proper men should hanged be
be warned yong, etc.
My office then I did defie
And ran away for company. lord, etc.
Three yeeres I lived upon the spoile
ah woe is me, etc.
Giving many a carle the soile
be warned yong etc.
Yet never did I kil man nor wife
though lewdly long I led my life. lord, etc.

But all too bad my deedes hath been,
ah woe is me, etc,
Offending my country and my good queene,
be warned yong, etc.
All men in Yorke-shire talke of me,
A stronger theefe there could not be. lord, etc.

Upon S. Lukes day was I borne, ah woe, etc.
whom want of grace hath made a scorne. be war. etc.
in honor of my birth day then,
I robd in a bravery nineteene men. Lord, etc.

The country weary to beare this wrong,
ah woe is me, etc.
With huse and cries pursude me long, be war, etc.

Though long I scapt, yet loe at last.
London I was in newgate cast.

There did I lye with a grieved [mi]nde,
ah woe is me, etc.
Although the keeper was gentle and kinde,
be warned yong etc.
[Y]et was he not so kinde as I,
[T]o let m[e go] at libertie. lord, etc.

At last the shiriffe of Yorke-shire came,
ah woe is me, etc.
And in a warrant he had my name,
be warned yong, etc.
[Quoth] he at Yorke thou must be tride,
With me therefore hence must thou ride. lord, etc.

Like pangues of death his words did sound,
ah woe is me, etc.
My hands and armes ful fast he bound,
be warned etc.
Good sir quoth I, I had rather stay,
I have no heart to ride that way. lord, etc.

When no intreaty might prevaile,
ah woe is me, etc.
I calde for beere, for wine and ale,
be warned, etc.
And when my heart was in wofull case,
I drunke to my friends with a smiling face. lord, etc.

With clubs and staves I was garded then,
ah woe is me, etc.
I never before had such waiting men
be warned, etc.
If they had ridden before amaine,
Beshrew me if I had cald them againe. lord, etc.

And when unto Yorke that I was come, ah, etc.
Each one on me did passe their doome. be war. etc.
and whilst you live this sentence note,
Evill men can never have good report. lord, etc.

Before the judges when I was brought,
ah woe is me, etc.
Be sure I had a carefull thought, be, etc.
Nine-score inditements and seaventeene,
against me there was read and seene. lord, etc.

And each of these was fellony found,
ah woe is me. etc.
which did my heart with sorrow wound, be, etc.
What should I heerein longer stay,
For this I was condemned that day. lord, etc.

My death each houre I do attend,
ah woe is me:
In prayer and teares my time I spend. be etc.
And all my loving friends this day,
I do intreate for me to pray. Lord etc.

I have deserved long since to die, ah woe etc
A viler sinner livde not then I: be etc.
On friends I hopte my life to save,
But I am fittest for my grave: Lord etc.

Adue my loving frends each one,
ah woe is me woe is me for my great folly,
Thinke on my words when I am gone,
be warned young wantons, etc.
When on the ladder you shal me view,
thinke I am neerer heaven then you. Lord etc.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

York

Printing Location

London for Thomas Millington

Notes

For discussion of parentage of and writings ascribed to the highwayman Luke Hutton, see Arthur Valentine Judges, The Elizabethan Underworld (London, 1930), pp. 269-95 and notes, pp. 506-8.
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:25 +1000
<![CDATA[THE High-way Mans Advice To his Brethren.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/893

Title

THE High-way Mans Advice To his Brethren.

Subtitle

Or, Nevison's Last Legacy to the Knights of the High-Padd; By way of Caution, to deter them from following their Unlawful Enterprizes. Being a most Pleasant New Song, greatly in Request both in City and Country. Beware all you that set Unlawful Game, Least in the end your selves you sadly shame; Hemp is a fatal Weed, and spoils the growth Of many a rash and unadvised Youth: Then timely warning take er'e 'tis too late, And by that warning shun untimely Fate.

Synopsis

A fictional cautionary ballad, warning against highway robbery and imagining punishment for highwaymen.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.157; EBBA 20777

Set to tune of...

Follow bonny Lad: Or, The High-way Man's Delight

Transcription

F Ollow bonny Lad,
By the High-way side,

my own dear loving Brother;
But if thou love me as I love thee,

then let us gang both together.
And if we meet a Man,
We'l cause him to stand,

my own dear loving Brother;
But if thou love me, as I love thee,

we'l make him stand both together.
Be it better, be't worse,
We will take his Purse,

my own dear loving Brother;
But if thou love me, as I love thee,

we will take it both together.
And than by and by,
Follow the Hue and Cry,

my own dear loving Brother;
But if thou love me, as I love thee,

we'l both be taken together.
And [then in a Cart,]
We'l [be carry'd] to York,

my own dear loving Brother;
But if thou love me, as I love thee,

we'l both be carry'd together.
Then over Mount-Hill,
And by the Mill,

my own dear loving Brother;
But if thou love me, as I love thee,

one pint we will drink together.
And then we must lye
Until the next Assize,

my own dear loving Brother;
But if thou love me, as I love thee,

there we will lye together.
And the next Assize,
We must be Trappiz'd,

my own dear loving B rother;
But if thou love me, as I love thee,

we both will Swing together.
With the Mattock and Spade,
Our Graves shall be made,

my own dear loving Brother;
But if thou love me, as I love thee,

we'l lye in a Grave together.
But let us not be
Fearful whilst free,

my own dear loving Brother ;
For if thou love me, as I love thee,

we will fight and dye together.
For a Knight of the Padd,
Should never be sad,

my own dear loving Brother;
But if thou lov'st me, as I love thee,

we will be merry together.
Let what will come,
We know our Doom,

my own dear loving B rother;
But if thou love me, as I love thee,
we will cast away fear together.
Our Booty we'l share,
And take no futher care,

my own dear loving Brother;
But if thou love me, as I love thee,

we will spend it both together.
Our Lasses and our Wine,
Our Wits shall refine,

my own dear loving Brother;
But if thou love me, as I love thee,

we will share them both together.
At nothing we'l grieve,
So Silver we have,

my own dear loving Brother;
For if thou lov'st me, as I love thee,

what we do we'l do together.
Men of our Profession,
Move by Discretion,

my own dear loving B rother;
And if thou love me, as I love thee,

we'l jovially move together.
Goals we will Contemn,
Till we fall into them,

my own dear loving B rother;
But if thou love me, as I love thee,

we'l wear the stone doublet together.
But as we now are,
Let us have a care,

my own dear loving Brother;
And if thou love me, as I love thee,

let us have a care toghther.
O let us-still beware,
Of the wretced Snare,

my own dear loving Brother;
And if thou lov'st me, as I love thee,

O let us have a care together.
O to dye in a Rope,
Wilt destroy all our hope,

my own dear loving Brother;
But if thou lov'st me, as I love thee,

if we dye we'l dye both together.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

robbery, theft

Gender

Date

Printing Location

Printed for I. Wright, I. Clark, VV. Thackeray, and T. Passenger.
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:27 +1000
<![CDATA[THE Mournful Murtherer:]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/894

Title

THE Mournful Murtherer:

Subtitle

OR, The last Dying Lamentation of Thomas Randall, who was arraign-ed and found guilty of the Murther of Roger Levins, at Stone-bridge, near Kings-land, for which he received the due Sentence of Death, and was accordingly Executed and Hang'd in Chains at the said Bridge, on the 29th of this Instant January.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.161; EBBA 20780

Set to tune of...

Transcription

WIth melting Eyes and bleeding Heart, of Grief and Heaviness,
Before this Life I do depart, my Sins I here confess,
The which alas! are manifold, and of a scarlet Dye;
The Bloud I shed, does, now behold, for fearful Vengeance cry.

The Laws of God and Man I broke, by lewd unlawful ways,
And therefore now Death's fatal stroke, will end my wretched days;
Mercy, I'm sure, they cannot show to such a one as I,
My scarlet Sins, they do, I know for fearful Vengeance cry.

I must acknowledge to my shame, the Road I did frequent,
So rich and poor where-e'r I came, tho' ne'r so innocent,
I robb'd them of their Wealth with speed, such was my villany;
But now my Heart begins to bleed, my Sins for Vengeance cry.

Amongst my many Crimes, at last a Quaker's Bloud I spilt,
Which does my hope of Glory blast, my Soul is stain'd with guilt;
I murder'd him, and robb'd his Wife, for which I come to die;
But, oh! the Sins of my lewd Life does for just Vengeance cry.

At Stone-bridge, near to Kingsland- Town, I did my Pistol load,
I shot him, and he soon dropt down, and dy'd there in the Road;
His Wife, when she the Pistol hears,
it was a sad surprize,
By him she shed a flood of Tears, to hear his Groans and Cries.

I took away what Gold they had, and likewise Silver too;
Then after that, a little Lad I likewise did pursue;
I spared neither Rich nor Poor, such was my villany,
Alas! my wicked Sins therefore, does for just Vengeance cry.

When I this wicked Deed had done, my Heart was harden'd sure,
Tho through the Town the news did run,
I thought myself secure;
But Justice fairly found me out, condemn'd I am to die,
My bloudy Sins, I make no doubt, they did for Vengeance cry.

A wicked Creature I have been, unto a high degree;
But now the Soul-amazing Sin, of Murther startles me,
The fearful wrath of God I dread, as being brought to die,
Because the Bloud which I have shed, does for just Vengeance cry.

There's few or none regards my moan, because I was enclin'd,
To covet that which wan't my own,
a just Reward I find;
It is no more than what is fit, that I should die, for why
The Murther which I did commit, does for just Vengeance cry.

All you that sad Spectators are, of this my shameful end,
Afford me now a Christian-prayer, my Soul to God commend;
For tho' I liv'd in Wickedness,
yet since I come to die,
A hearty Sorrow I express, for all my Villany.

Method of Punishment

hanging in chains

Crime(s)

murder, robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Stonebridge, near Kingsland

Printing Location

London: Printed for J. Blare, at the sign of the Looking-glass on London-bridge

Tune Data

Reference: Russell's Farewell BBB pp 621-624
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:27 +1000
<![CDATA[The Arrainement condemnation and execution of the grand [cutpurse] Iohn Selman]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/897

Title

The Arrainement condemnation and execution of the grand [cutpurse] Iohn Selman

Subtitle

who was executed at White-hall vppon Twesday the seuenth of Ianuary. 1612. To the tune of a rich Merchant man.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 1.130-131v; EBBA 20057

Set to tune of...

Transcription

The Arrainement condemnation and execution of the grand [cutpurse]
John Selman who was executed at White-hall uppon Twesday the seventh of
Jaunary. 1612 To the tune of a rich Marchant man.

HOw happy is that man.
that in his b[r]east doth beare:
A [...]st heart and in his heart, a perfect godly feare.
A man so blest I say, can no discomfort have,
He shall not ta[s]t a shamefull death,
to fi[l]l a [t]im[e]less[e] grave.
Could I of this before. have well and wisely thought:
I would not have imbracd the course this wamefull death hath brought.
But all my mind was then, on ydle wicked waies.
To shift to gull, to cog and cheate, and so I spent my dayes.
A multitude of thoughts, as black as hell it selfe,
The Divell put into my heart, to compasse worldly pelfe.
And many waies I used,
both wicked base and foule,
[S]till mindfull of my body still, unmindfull of my soule.
In silke and velvets faire,
I sometime us'd to goe:
As I had used the Marchants trade, forsuch I was in shew.
And at the worst I went, like one of good degree,
And often used to change my sutes. as needfull I should see.
So still I leap'd untouch't, till this presumptuous crime,
This mounting sinne for that reveng up to the Heavens did clime,
Upon the blessed day, we celebrate the birth,
O'th deere Redeemer of us all. with joy and Godlymirth:
Within the house of God, and at the sacred houre,
O'th blest commanion I was touched, with Sathans damning power,
In presence of the King, Whose majesty might make,
A[w]fil intending wre[t]ch like me, to staggar faint and quake.
This mischiefe vile I did,
I pickt a pocket there,
Nor sacred person time nor place, could make me faintly feare,
When all were at their prayers, and exercise divine,
I pryed about to get my prey, this divelish prey of mine,
With hands and eyes to heaven,
all did in reverence stand:
While I in mischife used mine eye, and my accursed hand,
Now was my mischiefe ripe. my villanyes full growne,
And now the God in secret knew it. did make it open knowne.
I could not shift it heere, n[y]r no denyall stond:
For all hhe purse was newly tooke, twas taken in my hand,
And heere I stand to pay,
the price of that offence,
God grant no christian after me, may such an act commence.
I pray my fault may s[...] [e]xample to you all
Tha[t] [t]housand soules [...] that thus hath mad[e]
So praying all may pr[...]
for mercy to my God
I yeeld to death and pa[...] indure this heavy t[...]
The names of his [...] Commision[...]
William Lord Kno[...]
mas Vavasor, Sir F[...]
Sir Arthur Gorge, [...]
nister, and others o[...]
Cloth. Sir Edmund [...]
Robert Leighe & M[...]
Gerrard.
The names of the gran[...]
William Lancaster, E[...]
John Bull, Gentlema[n]
William Yates Yeo[man]
Rebert Powlstone Ye[oman]
Anthony Barklet, Yeo[man]
George Cordall, Yeo[man]
William Carter, Yeo[man]
John Browne, Yeoma[n]
John wonnam, Yeom[an]
Edward Blacgrave, [...]
Edward Beake, Yeom[an]
Richard Langley, Yeo[man]
Thomas Gawen, Yeo[man]
Richard Gregory, Yeo[man]
Roger Terry, Yeoman
Edward Kiffin, Yeoma[n]
John Whitlocke, Yeo[man]
Richard Dyar, Yeoma[n]
FINIS
Quoth Henry S[mith]


The Captaine Cut-purse.
A new Ballad shewing the most notorious abuse of life of John Selman,
who for cutting a purse in the Kings Chapell at White Hall on Christ-
mas day was executed neere Charing crosse. To a new tune.

THat men may feare the Acts, opugnant are to truth:
I will anothamize the course, of lusty Selmans youth.
His courses lewd and naught, the certaine path of death:
As in himselfe you well may see, who for them lost his breath.
All labor he cast off,
and all religious awe:
To ireligious actions bent, making his will [...] law:
All company he us'd.
that was prophane and nought,
And with them all the Arts of sinne,
he practized and wrought.
With drunkerds hee'd carowse, the wicked healths they use,
And so, (his understanding drown'd) would friend and foe abuse.
As drunkerds use to doe, the act is too too bad:
There is smal difference twixt a man thats drunke and one thats mad.
For both's but want of sence, which both a like do lacke:
And Godly unverstanding lost, the soule must needs to wracke.
To this the killing sinne, of lust he would annex:
And with a boyling blood pursue, the sinne o'th female sex.
Counting their hell is heaven, dallying with their imbrace:
Inchanted with his harlots lippe, dyed locke and painted face.
with them hee'd revell rout, the houres of day and night:
Counting their pleasures all his jo[y] their sport his best delight,
And thus will he consume,
the substance that his friends:
Had to him given to be imployed, to good and thrifty ends.
His stocke on strumpets vile, thus wasted and decaide:
To keepe the flush of pleasure still: he fell tot'h cheaters trade.
Sometimes with trickes at cards, sometime with cogging Dye:
That he of purpose would prepare, to runne too low or hie.
If all his wifts and trickes, would not prevaile to winne:
Why there to this hee'd adde a worse and more presumptuous sinne.
Hee'd get it out by oathes, sweare and forsweare apace:
Without all feare of heaven or hell, or any thought of grace.
Thus doth one sinne (like waves) runne on anothers necke:
Unlesse (by grace) we can at first, our sinfull nature checke.
And yet he stayed not heere, but prog[rest to] his sinnes:
To fellony [in] [bases]t kind, anothers [right to] winne.
In change of [gallant] suites, with all the t[...]s belongs:
Unto the cunning cutpurse craft, hee'd follow crowds and throngs.
There sometime cut a purse, sometime a pocket picke:
In doing both he was a man, knowne very apt and quicke.
All cheaters cutpurses, and pickpurses he knew:
And was as some report of him, the Captaine of that crew:
But for this sinne on earth, he payed the bitter price:
God grant by his example all, may learne to fly his vice.
FINIS.
Henry Smith.

Composer of Ballad

Henry Smith

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

theft, robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Whitehall

Printing Location

London

Tune Data

Part 1: The Rich Merchant Man (Simpson 1966, pp. 602-604)
Part 2: A new tune
Date tune first appeared: 1594 - ballad called Rich Merchant Man registered by Thomas Deloney
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:27 +1000
<![CDATA[The Golden Farmer's Last Fareweel]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/939

Title

The Golden Farmer's Last Fareweel

Subtitle

who was arraigned and found Guilty of wilfull Murther, and likewise many notorious Robberies; for which he received a due Sentance of Death, and was accordingly Executed on the 22d. of December, 1690 in Fleetstreet. To the Tune of The Rich Merchant-man. Licensed according to Order.

Synopsis

William Davies aka 'The Golden Farmer', a notorious highwayman is finally executed after 45 years of robbery, and is hanged in chains on Bagshot Heath, where he had committed many of his crimes.

Digital Object


Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.187; EBBA 20802

Set to tune of...

Transcription

Unto you all this day,
my faults I do declare,
Alas! I have not long to stay,
I must for Death prepare;

A most notorious Wretch,
I many years have been,
For which I now at length must stretch,
a just Reward for Sin:

No Tongue, nor Pen can tell
what Sorrows I conceive;
Your Golden Farmer's last Farewell,
unto the World I leave

I having run my Race,
I now at last do see,
That in much shame and sad disgrace,
my Life will ended be:

I took Delight to rob,
and rifle rich and poor,
But now at last, my Friend Old Mob,
I ne'er shall see thee more:

No Tongue nor Pen can tell;
what Sorrows I conceive;
Your Golden Farmer's last Farewell,
unto the World I leave.

A Gang of Robbers then
myself did entertain;
Notorious hardy Highway-men.
who did like Ruffians reign:

We'd rob, we'd laugh, and joke,
and revel night and day;
But now the knot of us is broke,
'tis I that leads the way:

No Tongue nor Pen can tell
what Sorrows I conceive,
Your Golden Farmer's last Farewell
unto the World I leave.

We Houses did beset,
and robb'd them night and day,
Making all Fish that came to Net,
for still we cleared the way;

Five Hundred Pounds and more,
in Money, Gold, and Plate,
From the right Owner we have bore,
but now my wretched State,

No Tongue nor Pen can tell, etc.

We always gagg'd and bound
most of the Family,
That we might search untill we found
their hidden Treasury;

Which if we could not find,
a Pistol cock'd streightway,
Presented at their Breast, to make
them shew us where it lay:

No Tongue nor Pen can tell, etc.

The Bloud which I have spilt,
now on my Conscience lies,
The heavy dreadfull thought of Guilt
my Senses do's surprize;

The thoughts of Death I fear,
although a just Reward,
As knowing that I must appear,
before the living Lord,

No Tongue nor Pen can tell, etc.

I solemnly declare,
who am to Justice brought,
All kind of wicked Sins that are,
I eagerly have wrought;

No Villains are more rife,
than those which I have bred;
And thus a most perfidious Life
I in this world have led:

No Tongue nor Pen can tell, etc.

Long have I liv'd you see,
by this unlawful Trade,
And at the length am brought to be
a just Example made:

Good God my Sins forgive,
whose Laws I did offend,
For here I may no longer live,
my Life is at an end:

No Tongue nor Pen can tell
what Sorrows I conceive;
Your Golden Farmer's last Farewell,
unto the World I leave.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

murder, robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Fleet Street

Printing Location

Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, and J. Back.

Notes

From David Nash Ford's Royal Berkshire History 

William Davies (1627-1690) Born: 1627 in Wrexham, Denbighshire Highwayman Died: 22nd December 1690 at Westminster, Middlesex William Davies was a famous highwayman, known as the 'Golden Farmer,' from his habitually paying with gold coin to avoid identification of his plunder. It is said he often left his victims keep their jewels and other valuables.

He was born at Wrexham in Denbighshire in 1627, but removed in early life to Sudbury in Gloucestershire, where he married the daughter of a wealthy innkeeper and had, by her, eighteen children. He moved his family to Bagshot on the Surrey-Berkshire border where he became a successful farmer until the last month of his life, but used this trade as a mere cloak. For he had early taken to the road and robbed persons returning from cattle fairs or travelling to pay rent, mainly on Bagshot Heath but also as far afield as Salisbury Plain. He was dexterous in gaining information and his character was above suspicion.

Initially operating alone, Davies became a master of disguise and, at one time, robbed his own landlord of the annual rent money just collected from him. He later became the captain and leader of a large gang, among whom was Thomas Sympson, alias 'Old Mobb,' born at Romsey in Hampshire, who robbed for forty-five years with no other companion than the 'Golden Farmer.' Davies robbed the Duchess of Albemarle in her coach on Salisbury Plain, after a single-handed victory over her postilion, coachman and two footmen. He took three diamond rings and a gold watch, besides reproaching her for painting her face and being niggardly. Between Gloucester and Worcester, he robbed Sir Thomas Day of £60, after enticing him into a declaration that the county would make good any money lost on the highway if "betwixt sun and sun".

Davies had begun this career as an experiment, after the King's death in 1649, when twenty-two years old. He gained something of a Robin-Hood reputation over the years, with some of his haul finding its way under the doors of local poor families. However, his wife never had any suspicion of his illegal activities and, in all the ordinary relations of life, he was eminently respectable. His charming manners enabled him to secure the fidelity of accomplices and attract the confidence of his victims.

The ‘Golden Farmer’ retired from his profession for a few years, but was tempted back to the highway, in hope of making up a large sum for the purchase of land adjacent to his property. He had fallen out of practice and was recognised. Soon afterwards, he was discovered in Salisbury Court in Fleet Street (Westminster) which was, at that time, a kind of sanctuary. He had a narrow escape and shot a pursuing butcher. Being apprehended, he was committed to Newgate Prison, tried for the murder at the Old Bailey Sessions of 11th-17th December 1690 and his previous crimes became known. He was condemned to be hanged at the end of Salisbury Court (instead of Tyburn, as usual), where he had shot the butcher. He died on 22nd December 1690, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and was afterwards hung in chains on Bagshot Heath. Some say this was adjoining the old pub in Easthampstead that he used to frequent, now the site of a modern replacement known as the ‘Golden Farmer’. He had left affectionate messages for 'Old Mobb,' who was suspected of having betrayed him. Mobb was hanged at Tyburn on Friday 30th May 1691.

According to George Daniel of Canonbury, the 'Golden Farmer' had been a corn-chandler in Thames Street, selling by day and despoiling the farmers at night. The contemporary ballad, his 'Last Farewell,' admits his close connection with 'a gang of robbers, notorious hardy highwaymen who did like ruffians reign;' also with housebreakers and burglars, clearing £500. one time, in money and plate.

Edited from Leslie Stephen's 'Dictionary of National Biography' (1888)

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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:34 +1000
<![CDATA[An Excellent Ballad of George Barnwel,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/954

Title

An Excellent Ballad of George Barnwel,

Subtitle

an Apprentice of London, who was undone by a Strumpet, who having thrice robbed his Master, and murdered his Uncle in Ludlow, was hanged in Chains in Polonia, and by the means of a Letter sent from his own hand to the Mayor of London, she was hang'd at Ludlow.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

British Library - Roxburghe, C.20.f.9.26-27; EBBA 30382; Also in Bodleian

Set to tune of...

Transcription

ALL youths of fair England, that dwell both far and neer,
Regard my story that I tell,
and to my song give ear:
A London Lad I was, a Merchants Prentice bound,
My name George Barnwel who did spend my master many a pound.

Take heed of Harlots then, and their inticing trains,
For by that means I have been brought, to hang alive in chains.
As I upon a day
was walking through the street,
About my masters business, I did a wanton meet:
A dainty gallant Dame, and sumptuous in attire,
With smiling looks she greeted me
and did my name require.
Which when I had declard, she gave me then a kiss,
And said, if I would come to her, I should have more then this.
In faith my boy, quoth she, such news I can thee tell,
As shall rejoyce thy very heart, then come where I do dwell.
Fair Mistris, then said I, if I the place may know,
This evening I will be with you, for I abroad must go,
To gather money in, that is my masters due,
And ere that I do home return, ile come and visit you.
Good Barnwel then, quoth she, do thou to Shoreditch come,
And ask for Mrs. Milwood there, next door unto the Gun.
And trust me on my truth, if thou keep troth with me,
For thy friends sake, as my own heart, thou shalt right welcome be.
Thus parted we in peace, and home I passed right,
Then went abroad and gathered in by five a clock at night:
A hundred pound and one, with bag under mine arm,
I went to Mrs. Milwoods house and thought on little harm:
And knocking at the door, straightway her self came down,
Ruffling in most brave attire, her Hoods and silken gown:
Who through her beauty bright, so gloriously did shine,
That she amazd my dazling eyes, she seemed so divine.
She took me by the hand, and with a modest grace,
Welcome sweet Barnwel than, quod she, unto this homely place:
Welcome ten th[o]usand times, more welcome then my brother,
And better welcome I protest, then any one or other:
And seeing I have thee found as good as thy word to be,
A homely supper er thou part, thou shalt here take with me.
O pardon me, quoth I, fair Mistris I you pray,
For why out of my Masters house, so long I dare not stay.
Alas, good sir, she said. art thou so strictly tyd,
You may not with your dearest friend
one hour or two abide?
Fath then the case is hard if it be so, quoth she,
I would I were a Prentice bound to live in house with thee.
Therefore my sweetest George, list well what I do say,
And do not blame a woman much, her fancy to bewray:
Let not affections force
be counted lewd desire,
Nor think it not immodesty, I would thy love require.
With that she turnd aside,
and with a blushing red,
A mournful motion she bewrayd, by holding down her head.
A Handkerchief she had,
all wrought with silk and gold,
which she to stop her trickling tears against her eyes did hold.
This thing unto my sight, was wondrous rare and strange;
& in my mind and inward thoughts it wrought a sudden change:
That I so hardy was,
to take her by the hand,
Saying, sweet Mistris, why do you so sad and heavy stand?
Call me not Mistris now, but Sara thy true friend,
Thy servant Sara honouring thee, until her life doth end.
If thou wouldst here alledge thou art in years a Boy,
So was Adonis, yet was he, fair Venus love and joy.
Thus I that ner before,
of Woman found such grace,
And seeing now so fair a Dame,
give me a kind imbrace:
I supt with her that night, with joys that did abound,
And for the same paid presently, in Money twice three pound.
A hundred Kisses then for my farewel she gave,
Saying, sweet Barnwel, when shall I again thy company have?
O stay not too long my dear, sweet George have me in mind,
her words bewitcht my childishness she uttered them so kind,
So that I made a vow, next Sunday without fail,
With my sweet Sara once again, to tell some pleasant tale.
When she heard me say I, the tears fell from her eyes,
O George, quoth she, if thou dost fail thy Sara sure will dye:
Though long, yet loe at last, the pointed time was come,
That I must with my Sara meet, having a mighty sum
Of money in my hand, unto her house went I.
Whereas my love, upon her bed, in saddest sort did lye.
What ails my hearts delight, my Sara dear, quoth he,
Let not my love lament and grieve nor sighing pain and dye.
But tell to me my dearest friend, what may thy woes amend,
& thou shalt lack no means of help, though forty pounds I spend:
With that she turnd her head, and sickly thus did say,
O my sweet George my grief is great, ten pounds I have to pay,
Unto a cruel wretch, and God he knows, quoth she,
I have it not, tush, rise, quoth I, and take it here of me:
Ten pounds, nor ten times ten, shall make my love decay,
Then from his bag into her lap, he cast ten pounds straight way.
All blith and pleasant then,
to banqueting they go,
She proffered him to lye with her, and said it should be so:
And after that same time, I gave her store of Coyn,
Yea, sometimes fifty pound at once, all which I did purloyn:
And thus I did pass on, until my master then,
Did call to have his reckoning in, cast up amongst his men.
The which when as I heard, I knew not what to say,
For well I knew that I was out, two hundred pound that day:
Then from my master streight, I run in secret sort,
And unto Sara Milwood then my state I did report:
But how she usd this Youth, in this his extream need,
The which did her necessity, so oft with money feed:
The second part behold shall tell it forth at large;
And shall a Strumpets willy ways
with all her tricks discharge.

The Second Part, to the same Tune.

HEre comes young Barnwel unto,
sweet Sara his delight,
I am undone, except thou stand my faithful friend this night:
Our Master to command accounts, hath just occasion found,
And I am come behind the hand, almost two hundred pound:
And therefore knowing not at all what answer for to make,
And his displeasure to escape, my way to thee I take:
Hoping in this extreamity thou wilt my succour be,
That for a time I may remain in secret here with thee.
with that she knit & bent her brows and looking all aquoy,
Quoth she, what should I have to do with any Prentice-boy?
And seeing you have purloynd and got your Masters goods away,
The case is bad, and therefore here,
I mean thou shalt not stay.
why sweetheart thou knowst, I said, that all which I did get;
I gave it, and did spend it all, upon thee every whit.
Thou knowst I loved thee so well, thou couldst not ask the thing,
But that I did incontinent the same unto thee bring.
Quod she, thou art a paultry Jack, to charge me in this sort,
Being a Woman of credit good, and known of good report;
And therefore this I tell thee flat, be packing with good speed,
I do defie thee from my heart, and scorn thy filthy deed.
Is this the love & friendship which thou didst to me protest?
Is this the great affection which you seemed to express?
Now fie on all deceitful shews, the best is I may speed,
To get a lodging any where, for money in my need:
Therefore false woman now fare-well while twenty pound doth last
My anchor in some other Haven I will with wisdom cast.
When she perceived by his words that he had money store,
That she had gauld him in such sort it grievd her heart full sore:
Therefore to call him back again she did suppose it best,
Stay George, quod she, thou art too quick why man I do but jest.
thinkst thou for all my passed speech that I would let thee go?
Faith no, quoth she, my love to thee
I wis is more then so:
you will not deal with prentice boys I heard you even now swear,
Therefore I will not trouble you my George herk in thine ear,
Thou shalt not go this night quod she what chance so er befall,
But man wel have a bed for thee, or else the Devil take all.
Thus I that was with Wiles be-witchd & snard with fancy still,
Had not the power to put away, or to withstand her will.
Then wine and wine I called in,
and cheer upon good cheer,
And nothing in the world I thought for Sarahs love too dear:
Whilst I was in her company, in joy and merriment,
And all too little I did think, that I upon her spent,
A fig for care or careful thought when all my gold is gone,
In faith my girl we will have more, whoever it light upon:
My fathers rich, why then, quoth I should I want any gold?
With a father indeed (quoth she) a Son may well be bold:
I have a Sister richly wed, that ile rob ere ile want;
Why then quod Sara they may well consider of your scant:
nay more then this an Uncle I have at Ludlow he doth dwell,
He is a Grasier, which in wealth, doth all the rest excell.
Ere I will live in lack (quoth he) and have no coyn for thee,
Ile rob the churl and murder him, why should you not (quoth she.)
Ere I would want were I a man, or live in poor estate,
On father, friends, and all my kin, I would my talents grate.
For without mony, George, (quod she) a man is but a beast,
And bringing money thou shalt be always my chiefest guest:
For say thou shouldst pursued be with twenty hues and cries,
And with a Warrant searched for with Argos hundred eyes:
Yet in my house thou shalt be safe, such privy ways there be,
That if they sought an 100 years, they could not find out thee.
And so carousing in their cups, their pleasure to content,
George Barnwel had in little space his money wholly spent.
Which being done to Ludlow then, he did provide to go,
To rob his wealthy Uncle then,
his Minion would it so:
and once or twice he thought to take his father by the way,
but that he thought his Master there took order for his stay.
Directly to his Uncle then, he rode with might and main,
where with good welcome, and good cheer he did him entertain:
A Sennets space he stayed there, until it chanced so,
His Uncle with fat Cattel did unto a Market go.
His Kinsman needs must ride with him and when he saw right plain
Great store of Money he had took, in coming home again,
Most suddenly within a Wood, he struck his Uncle down,
And beat his brains out of his head, so sore he crackt his crown:
And fourscore pound in ready coyn, out of his Purse he took,
And comming unto London strait, the Country quite forsook.
To Sara Milwood then he came, shewing his store of gold,
And how he had his Uncle slain, to her he plainly told.
Tush, tis no matter George, quod she so we the money have,
To have good cheer in jolly sort, and deck us fine and brave.
And thus they livd in filthy sort, till all his store was gone,
And means to get them any more, I wis poor George had none.
And therefore now in railing sort she thrust him out of door,
Which is the just reward they get that spend upon a Whore.
O do me not this vile disgrace, in this my need (quoth he)
She calld him thief and murderer with all the spight might be.
And to the Constable she went, to have him apprehended,
And shewd in each degree how far, he had the law offended.
When Barnwel saw her drift, to sea he got straightway,
Where fear and dread, & conscience sting, upon him still doth stay.
Unto the Mayor of London then, he did a Letter write,
Wherein his own and Saras faults he did at large recite.
Whereby she apprehended was,
and then to Ludlow sent,
Where she was judgd, condemnd & hangd for murder incontinent,
and there this gallant quean did die this was her greatest gains,
For murder in Polonia
was Barnwel hangd in chains.
Lo heres the end of wilful youth, that after Harlots haunt,
Who in the spoyl of other men, about the streets do flaunt.

Method of Punishment

hanging, hanging in chains

Crime(s)

robbery, murder

Gender

Execution Location

Ludlow and Polonia

Printing Location

Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere J. Wright, and J. Clarke

Notes

see also: (1780-1812) http://bodley24.bodley.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/acwwweng/ballads/image.pl?ref=Harding+B+1%2818%29&id=00019.gif&seq=1&size=0

and: http://bodley24.bodley.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/acwwweng/ballads/image.pl?ref=Firth+c.17%2872%29&id=18762.gif&seq=1&size=1

Cf. The Unfaithful Servant: 17. For George Barnwell as black-letter ballad see Coles, F, Vere, T and Gilbertson, W in Bodleian Allegro archive as Wood 401(77); for other printings, same source, Aldermary Church Yard as Harding B 1(17), from c.Brown in London as Douce Ballads 3(40a), J. Evans in London (41 Long Lane), same source, as Harding B. 1(18) and Keys in Devonport, same source, as Firth b. 25(503).
rox_3_26-27_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:36 +1000
<![CDATA[THE Swaggering Man.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/957

Title

THE Swaggering Man.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

British Library - Roxburghe, C.20.f.9.484; EBBA 31180

Transcription

I AM a blade that hath no trade, Most people do adore me,
And I can hector, swagger, and lie, And drive a town before me.

I have a wife of wanton strife, She drives me to trapan, Sir,
I nothing say, but hike my way, There goes the Swaggering Man, Sir.

With my silk hose, and square toed shoes, I hector, swear, and swagger;
And every coxcomb that I meet, I push him with my dagger.

At cards and dice I am the man, I am the noted gamester;
I love my health, and cock my felt, There goes the Swaggering Man, Sir.

O then I go to the Royal Exchange, Where merchants they are walking;
All this seems something odd to me, They idly are talking;

But if a purse, or a gold watch, Come by the slight of hand, Sir,
I nothing say, but hike my way, There goes the swaggering Man, Sir.

From thence I to the tavern go, Where a waiter does attend me,
I call for liquor of the best, The ladies do commend me.

Behind the door there stands my score, The shot they do demand, Sir,
I nothing say, but hike my way, There goes the Swaggering Man, Sir.

From thence I go to Pater-noster-row, Where they deal in silk and sattin;
I pay for one and hike off three, All this is no false latin;

But if I am catchd, O then Im snatchd, And obliged to give an answer,
Im guilty found, and must come down, From being a Swaggering Man, Sir.

But now I have spent, all my means, Among those rakish fellows;
And am at last condemnd and cast, To hang upon yon gallows:

I sail to Tyburn in a cart, My body to advance, Sir,
The ladies cry as I pass by, Dont hang the Swaggering Man, Sir.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

robbery, theft

Gender

Execution Location

Tyburn
rox_3_484_2448x2448.jpg
]]>
Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:37 +1000
<![CDATA[Complainte détaillée.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/980

Title

Complainte détaillée.

Subtitle

Sur l'assassinat commis par un Boulanger de Sceaux & sa femme, envers un Marchand de Bestiaux de Lonjumeau.
Air: Si j'avois eu la crainte du bon Dieu.

Set to tune of...

Si j'avois eu la crainte du bon Dieu.

Transcription

APprochez peuple tendre,
avec humanité,
venez donc pour entendre
l'horrible cruauté
de moi & de ma femme:
hélas! vraiment
il faut être dans l'ame
bien méchant.

Nous faisions bon commerce,
gagnant bien de l'argent,
pain, grains de toute espece,
vivant fort aisément;
mais l'on devient perfide
par malheur
lorsque l'ambition guide
notre coeur.

Nous faisions résidence
depuis long-tems à Sceaux;
nous avions connoissance
d'un Marchand de bestiaux,
faisant affaire ensemble,
très-souvent:
quand j'y pense, j'en tremble,
trait sanglant!


Un jour, pour marchandise
chez nous il se rendit;
avec grande franchise
aussi-tôt il nous dit
qu'il avoit bonne somme
en son gousset:
mais hélas! le pauvre homme
se perdoit.

Pour avoir ses richesses
nous lui faisions accueil;
mais ces traîtres carresses
le menoient au cerceuil,
ayant bu, sans défiance,
quelques coups,
à dormir il commence
près de nous.

Ma femme, la premiere
d'un sabot se saisit,
d'une main meurtriere
tout de sang le couvrit;
aussi tôt je me leve
en vrai bourreau,
d'un marteau je l'acheve,
quel tableau.

Tous deux d'un air terrible,
après lui acharnés
de cent coupls on le crible
sans en être étonnés:
après, d'une serviette
bien marquée
nous lui couvrons la tête
tout tachée.

Nous le menons ensuite
dessus le grand-chemin:
mais on connut bien vite
quel étoit l'assassin;
voyant notre serviette
toute en sang,
on vient, on nous arrête
dans l'instant..

A un supplice infâme
nous sommes condamnés,
la noirceur de notre âme
nous y a entraînés,
que chacun nous contemple
maintenant
ah, c'est périr ensemble
tristement.

Le mari à sa femme.

Trop malheureuse femme,
faut il ainsi finir?
j'en sens dedans mon âme
un cuisant repentir;
& ce que je regrette
fortement
de nos enfans la perte
maintenant.

La femme à son mari.

Dans mon coeur la tendresse
se reveille à présent:
faut-il qu'on les délaisse
hélas si tristement
faut qu'on les abandonne
c'est certain:
que le Seigneur leur donne
meilleure fin.

Vous qui de nos supplices
êtes les spectateurs,
évitez tous les vices
qui causent nos malheurs;
que chacun de vous tremble
de tels coups
& vivez bien ensemble
chers époux.

Crime(s)

murder, robbery

Gender

Date

Notes

followed by Dialogue entre Cartouche et Mandrin, sur la réception de Desrues en Enfer.
Air: Il est en peine. Par DesHayes
IMG_1799.jpg
IMG_1800.jpg
IMG_1801.jpg
]]>
Thu, 24 May 2018 13:58:34 +1000
<![CDATA[Chanson nouvelle sur la complainte que fit Pierre Antoine Hugues]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1009

Title

Chanson nouvelle sur la complainte que fit Pierre Antoine Hugues

Subtitle

un peu devant sa mort le deuxième jour de Decembre de l'année 1705. Sur l'air Marin.

Synopsis

Pierre Antoine Hugues is a robber who preys on people near a hedged farmland. When trying to steal a sack of grain from a boatman he kills the boatman.

only first sheet

Set to tune of...

Sur l'air Marin

Transcription

Venez brave bourgeois
d'Estaire & de Merville
pour la derniere fois
Venez femmes & filles
voir Pierre Antoine mourir
S'en vont ses jours finir
Pour n'avoir su bien vivre
Entre vous paysans
Qui demeurez au champs
Gardez bien de le suivre.

Il estoit bon Censier
Prés de la Ville d'Estaire
Connus dans ces quartier
Faisant bien ses affaires
Il pouvoit dans ce lieu
vivre en homme heureux
S'il eust esté sage
Il ne serois point ainsi
En peine & en soucis
Par son mechant courage

Par ma vie debordée
& mon libertinage
je me mis à voler
Pres d'un petit Bocage
Depouillant les passans
En prenant leur argent
Du soir à la brunette
Enfin nuls estrangers
N'osoient plus la passer
En craignant leur defaite

Un jour l'esprit malin
Luy mit dedans la teste
de prendre un sac de grain
A un Batelier honneste
Et hors de son Batteau
Qui estoit dessus l'eau
Il luy cria arrette
Mais l'entendant crier
A tué ce Battelier
Comme une pauvre Bette












Method of Punishment

breaking on the wheel

Crime(s)

robbery, murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

? Estaire
Chanson nouvelle...Pierre Antoine Hugues 1.jpg
Pierre Antoine Hugues 2.jpg
]]>
Thu, 24 May 2018 13:58:38 +1000
<![CDATA[Eine erschröckliche Neue Zeitung/ Von einem Becken/ mit Nahmen Johann Schwab]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1067

Title

Eine erschröckliche Neue Zeitung/ Von einem Becken/ mit Nahmen Johann Schwab

Subtitle

welche sich begeben in Steyrmarck/ in der Stadt Loyben/ da der Vatter/ Mutter/ Sohn/ Töchter/ und 2. Tochter-Männer/ 12. Jahr Raub und Mord getrieben/ welche bekandt 182. Mord/ werden fromme Christen in diesem Gesang/ und ihrer Aussage vernehmen/ geschehen in dem 1665sten Jahre.
Im Thon: Kommt her zu mir spricht Gottes Sohn/ [et]c. Darbey auch ein schön Morgen-Lied. Ihr Menschen thut aufwachen/ [et]c. Erstlich gedruckt zu Wien/ Im Jahr 1665

Digital Object

Image notice

Full size images of all ballad sheets available at the bottom of this page.

Image / Audio Credit

Bl. VD17 75:703166A. VD Lied Digital.

Set to tune of...

Kommt her zu mir spricht Gottes Sohn

Crime(s)

murder, robbery

Gender

Date

Printing Location

Erstlich gedruckt zu Wien/ Im Jahr 1665
Eine erschröckliche Neue Zeitung Von einem Becken mit Nahmen Johann Schwab 1.jpg
Eine erschröckliche Neue Zeitung Von einem Becken mit Nahmen Johann Schwab 2.jpg
Eine erschröckliche Neue Zeitung Von einem Becken mit Nahmen Johann Schwab 3.jpg
Eine erschröckliche Neue Zeitung Von einem Becken mit Nahmen Johann Schwab 4.jpg
Eine erschröckliche Neue Zeitung Von einem Becken mit Nahmen Johann Schwab 5.jpg
Eine erschröckliche Neue Zeitung Von einem Becken mit Nahmen Johann Schwab 6.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 14:57:59 +1000
<![CDATA[L'assassinat de Saint-Geniez]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1202

Title

L'assassinat de Saint-Geniez

Synopsis

On 5 November 1881, two young men, Basile Mézy and Etienne Astruc, left Campagnac where they lived, to go to the Saint-Geniez fair. En route, they met an 18-year-old man, Joseph Carrière, who that morning had left the service of his master, the sieur Ferragut, for whom he had been a shepherd. During the conversation he mentioned that Ferragut had paid him a hundred francs in final wages. They robbed and murdered him, and Mézy was shortly thereafter arrested, convicted and sentenced to death. He named his accomplice Astruc, who appeared before the Aveyron assizes on 10 December 1882. Up to the final moment he claimed his innocence, but was also condemned to death. Eventually they were both pardoned by the President of the Republic, and their sentences commuted to perpetual hard labour.

Image / Audio Credit

Collection Archives départementales de l'Aveyron, Crimino Corpus record

Set to tune of...

Transcription

D'un récit bien lamentable
Nous racontons les horreurs.
Vous frémirez de terreur
C'est horrible, épouvantable;
Les pleurs vont mouiller vos yeux,
Écoutez, jeunes et vieux.

C'était un beau jour de foire
À Saint-Geniez d'Aveyron
Que se passa cette histoire
Où Carrière, pauvre garçon,
Fut lâchement assommé
Et de cent francs dépouillé.

Quand il recontra Mézy
Il lui dit: "J'ai de l'argent:
Je m'en vais de Soulayri,
Et on m'a payé comptant!"
Puis Astruc les rejoignit,
Cet effroyable bandit.

Alors Astruc et Mézy
Conduisirent Carrière
Au ravin de Puechberty
Ils le frappent par derrière,
Lui enlèvent son argent,
Et le laissent tout sanglant...

Des enfants le lendemain
Trouvent le corps tout meurtri.
On cherche les assassins,
Mais tout désigne Mézy;
Et statuant sur son sort
La cour le condamne à mort!

Les conseils de la Paresse
Conduisent à l'Échafaud!
Mais la crainte du bourreau
Doit inspirer la jeunesse
De fuir la route du mal
Qui conduit au sort fatal!

Composer of Ballad

H. Jaffus

Method of Punishment

guillotine; hard labour

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Aveyron, France

Printing Location

Rodez, France

URL

https://complaintes.criminocorpus.org/complainte/lassassinat-de-saint-geniez/
]]>
Fri, 21 Sep 2018 17:09:26 +1000
<![CDATA[Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied/]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1269

Title

Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied/

Subtitle

Von einer Gottlosen Mörder-Bande/ welche in dem vergangenen Winter im Siebenbürger-Land/ unweit Ungarn/ mit Rauben/ Mörden/ Stählen/ und anderen Schand-Thaten/ grossen Freffel verübet/ doch endlich auff einem Schloß von einer Edelfrawen eingethan/ und der Justitz gefänglich überlieferet worden/ von welcher sie sämtlich den wohl-verdienten Lohn empfangen haben : Dieses alles hat der geneigte Leser in diesem Gesang außführlich zu vernemmen : Im Thon: Kompt her zu mir/ spricht Gottes Sohn/ [et]c

Synopsis

A gang of robbers is brought to justice.

Digital Object

Image notice

Full size images of all ballad sheets available at the bottom of this page.

Image / Audio Credit

Universitätsbibliothek Bern, MUE Rar alt 760 : 1:46. Public domain, digitised by e-rara.ch


Set to tune of...

Kompt her zu mir spricht Gottes Sohn

Crime(s)

robbery, murder

Gender

Date

Printing Location

[Basel] : [Johann Conrad von Mechel II], Gedruckt im Jahr CHristi 1725

URL

https://www.e-rara.ch/bes_1/content/titleinfo/17299058
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 1.jpg
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 2.jpg
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 3.jpg
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 4.jpg
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 5.jpg
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 6.jpg
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 7.jpg
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 8.jpg
]]>
Fri, 28 Feb 2020 15:36:44 +1100
<![CDATA[Ein Gründtliche auch warhafftige und erschlöckliche newe Zeitung]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1270

Title

Ein Gründtliche auch warhafftige und erschlöckliche newe Zeitung

Subtitle

von sechs Mördern fünff Mann vnnd ein Weibsperson, welche heuwer in diesem Jar den 29. tag Maij zu Meggelitz in Mehren sein hingerichtet worden ... in Gesangeweiss gestelt : Im Thon: Kompt her zu mir spricht Gottes Sohn ;

Synopsis

5 men and a woman are executed for murder, robbery and witchcraft in Meggelitz

Digital Object

Image notice

Full size images of all ballad sheets available at the bottom of this page.

Image / Audio Credit

SBB-PK Berlin <Ye 5571>. VDLied Digital. 


Date

Printing Location

Vlmitz : N. Strauss, 1603
Ein Gründtliche auch warhafftige und erschlöckliche newe Zeitung 1.tif
Ein Gründtliche auch warhafftige und erschlöckliche newe Zeitung 2.tif
Ein Gründtliche auch warhafftige und erschlöckliche newe Zeitung 3.tif
Ein Gründtliche auch warhafftige und erschlöckliche newe Zeitung 4.tif
Ein Gründtliche auch warhafftige und erschlöckliche newe Zeitung 5.tif
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Fri, 28 Feb 2020 16:41:23 +1100
<![CDATA[Der sechsfache Raubmörder Anton Schimak :]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1271

Title

Der sechsfache Raubmörder Anton Schimak :

Subtitle

Das Ungeheuer der Wälder von Mähren und Oesterreichisch-Schlesien; Hingerichtet am 1. Oktober im Garten der Frohnfeste zu Neutitschein (in Mähren)

Digital Object

Image notice

Full size images of all ballad sheets available at the bottom of this page.

Image / Audio Credit

Deutsches Volksliedarchiv Freiburg i.Br. <Bl fol 497>. VDLied Digital.


Transcription

Vernehmt die Schreckenskunde
[illegible]
Die dieser grausame Mörder
In Mähren verübet hat.

Einen edlen Priester fällt der Mörder,
Mit dem Revolver an,
Hilferufend stürzt die Magd herbei
Schnell entfernte er sich dann.

Sechsfach ist die Blutthat,
Verthiert ist des Mörders Herz,
Himmelschreiend was er gethau hat,
Grenzenlos der armen Waisen Schmerz.

Er raubte auch armen Kindern
Den Vater gewissenlos,
Welcher der Kleinen erzogen in Ehren,
Jetzt ruht er in der Erde Schoß.

Nach Arbeit Sorg und Mühen,
Die drei Braven durch den Wald geh’n.
[cut off]

Als er alle [?]ingeschlachtet als er die [illegible]
Sch [illegible]
Ober seinem Haupt.

In Mährisch-Rothwasser in einem Gasthaus
Gelingt es den Mörder zu arretiren,
Jetzt sind seine fluchbeladnen Thaten aus
Bald muß er das Todesurtheil spüren.

Hartnäcking, ohne Reue, ist der verstockte Bösewicht,
Er weist den Priester zurück
Treibt Spott über die Gotteslehre
Erkennt nicht das Gnadenlicht.

Doch in der Todestunde,
Was ist aller Reichtum auf dieser Welt,
Verbrecher Du erzittere, wenn Dir aus Priesters Munde
Die Verzeihung Deiner Sünden fehlt.

Die arme Seele tritt mit Beben,
Vor Gottes Angesicht,
Hast Du gefühnt Dein blutbeflecktes Leben,
So der Ewige zu der armen Seele spricht,
Nicht weiter wollen wir in Gottes Allmacht dringen
[photo cuts off here]
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Fri, 28 Feb 2020 17:08:06 +1100
<![CDATA[Trauriges Abschieds-Lied, einer Mutter mit ihren vier Söhnen,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1272

Title

Trauriges Abschieds-Lied, einer Mutter mit ihren vier Söhnen,

Subtitle

welche zu Mannheim wegen vielen Räubereyen und Mordthaten hingerichtet worden sind

Synopsis

Mother and four sons sentenced to be executed in Mannheim for multiple crimes of murder and robbery.

Digital Object

Image notice

Full size images of all ballad sheets available at the bottom of this page.

Image / Audio Credit

Deutsches Volksliedarchiv Freiburg i.Br. (Bl 5666). VD Lied digital. 


Transcription

1.
Ich will euch was Neues singen,
Ihr Christen nehmt’s in Acht,
Ihr werd ja gleich vernehmen,
Was sich begeben hat.
Es ist ja noch nicht lang,
Zu Mannheim wird bekannt,
Da führt man vier Personen,
Hinaus mit gewehrter Hand.

2.
Eine Mutter mit vier Söhnen,
Führt man auf die Richtstatt,
Sie müssen Urlaub nehmen,
Von ihrer Bruderschaft.
Liebe Kinder verzeihet mir,
Weil die Schuld ist an mir,
Daß ihr euer junges Leben,
Müßt lassen jetzund hier.

3.
Es ist schon alles verziehen,
Herzliebste Mutter mein,
Gelobt sey und gepriesen,
Die Herrschaft zu Mannheim.
Weil sie so gütig ist,
Ein gnädiges Urtheil spricht.
Wir hätten zwar verdienet,
Noch viel ein schärfer Gericht.

4.
Zwölf Jahr haben wirs getrieben,
Mordthat und Rauberey,
Die Kirchen ausgeraubet,
Das trieben wir ohne Scheu.
Barbara meine Mutter ist,
Sie hat uns schlecht erzogen,
O du mein Herr Jesu Christ,
Wie sind wir jetzt betrogen.

5.
Stephan thut kläglich meinen,
Und ruft seinen Jesum an,
Er möcht ihm doch verzeihen,
Die Sünd die er hat gethan.
Eins thut ihm schmerzlich kränken,
Wenn er denkt daran,
Eine schwangere Frau aufgeschnitten,
Hat ihm nichts leids gethan.

6.
Der allerjüngste Sohn,
Der heut zwölf Jahr alt ist,
Der schaut mit seinen Augen,
Wie man seine Mutter richt.
Liebes Kind, vergiß es nicht,
Dein Vater ist auch schon gericht,
Kommst du zu böser Gesellschaft,
Laß dich verführen nicht.

7.
Joseph war schon der Letzte,
Auf dieser Richterstatt,
Er thät sich fast entfetzen,
Drauf ging er so gemach,
Dort hängt mein Kamerad,
Und ich muß auf das Rad,
Das ist mir schon verheißen,
Das heißt für mich ein Grab.

8.
Bitt euch um Gottes Willen
Ihr Christen insgemein,
Thut euch ein Exempel dran nehmen
Die ihr hier versammelt seyd.
Ist das eine Mutterzucht,
Die selber ihre eigene Frucht,
Vier Kinder hat erzogen,
Dem Scharfrichter zum Meisterstück.

Method of Punishment

hanging, breaking on the wheel

Crime(s)

murder, robbery

Gender

Execution Location

Mannheim

Printing Location

no date, no printer
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Fri, 28 Feb 2020 17:13:58 +1100
<![CDATA[Lied von der Enthauptung des Juden Michel Meyer]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1274

Title

Lied von der Enthauptung des Juden Michel Meyer

Synopsis

Michel Mayer, a Jew, cattle dealer, residing in Schiefbahn, 46 years old, is seized during a theft by a gang in Viersen at night, and executed by guillotine.

Digital Object

Image notice

Full size images of all ballad sheets available at the bottom of this page.

Image / Audio Credit

SBB-PK Berlin (51 in: Yd 7920). VD Lied digital.

Set to tune of...

Ihr Junge Leute

Transcription

Der Bauer Hans aus Viersen schlief,
Es war schon in der Nacht sehr tief,
Da lärmt es vor der Pforte,
Und störte ihn in seiner Ruh;
Drauf stürmt er auf die Thüre zu,
Auch hört man fremde Worte.

Es dringen in die Stube ein
Der Diebe sieben groß und klein,
Bewaffnet mit Pistolen.
Sie zünden an ein Kerzenlicht,
Der Mann entflieht, die Frau doch nicht,
Sie liegt auf heissen Kohlen.

Geb’s Geld her, riefen sie mit Zorn,
Der packt sie an der Sürgel vorn,
Der andre leert die Schränke;
Des Bauern Söhne alle zwei
Die hören das was unten sey
Gepolter und G?zänke.

Die Flinte nimmt der Eine dann,
Der Andre was er friegen kann,
So steigen sie hernieder.
Indessen trägt die Diebesband
Das Geld hinweg, doch vieles fand
Nachher der Bauer wieder.

Der eine Sohn voll herz und Muth
Schießt auf die Diebe und das Blut,
Färbt allsogleich den Boden,
Die Söhne haven tapfer drein,
Verjagen Diebe groß und klein,
Sie fliehn mit einem Toden.

Den findet man bei Morgenzeit,
Er war aus einem Ort nicht weit,
Er starb an seinen Wunden.
Die Räuber schossen manchmal zwar,
Doch nach nicht ganz 2 Stunden war
Das Diebespack verschwunden.

Doch sehet nun was findet man
Im Fenstergitter trift man an
Den Meyer einen Juden.
Er wollte bei dem Lärmen fliehn
Doch seine Kleider hielten ihn
Man sah ihn gräßlich bluten.

Im Kopfe hatte er ein Loch
Der eine Nachbar wollte noch
Ihm ißt den Garaus geben
Der Jude wurde losgemacht
Und gleich vor die Justiz gebracht
Bekannt hat er sein Leben.

Bekannt, daß er mit Andern hat
Vollbracht die schwarze böse That,
Und so nach Köln geführet.
Er leugnet dort vor dem Gericht
Den Diebstahl, doch es hülft ihm nicht,
Er wird dort kondemniret.

Gesprochen ist sein Leben ab,
Nun führt man ihn vom Thurn herab
Dahin zur Guillotine:
Der Himmel es doch von uns wend,
Daß keiner ein so schrecklich End
Von uns dereinst verdiene.

Method of Punishment

guillotine

Crime(s)

robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Köln (Cologne), Germany

Notes

Notes on VDLied site re dating: Year of publication estimated by decapitation: 9. Vendémiaire X = 1.10.1801.
Erscheinungsjahr geschätzt nach Datum der Enthauptung: 9. Vendémiaire X = 1.10.1801. - Datum der Enthauptung ermittelt in Flugschrift: Michel Mayer, ein Jud, Viehhändler, wohnhaft in Schiefbahn, 46 Jahr alt, welcher den 27ten auf den 28ten Prair. in der Nacht bei einem Diebstahl in Viersen ergriffen, ... wird heute den 9ten Ven. 10ten Jahres Nachmittags um 3 Uhr durch die Goullitine hingerichtet
Lied von der Enthauptung des Juden Michel Meyer 1.tif
Lied von der Enthauptung des Juden Michel Meyer 2.tif
Lied von der Enthauptung des Juden Michel Meyer 3.tif
Lied von der Enthauptung des Juden Michel Meyer 4.tif
]]>
Fri, 28 Feb 2020 18:08:36 +1100