https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/browse?tags=theft&sort_field=added&sort_dir=a&output=atom <![CDATA[Execution Ballads]]> 2024-03-28T22:46:06+11:00 Omeka https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/853 <![CDATA[A new Ballad intituled, the stout Cripple of Cornwall]]> 2021-02-15T13:13:00+11:00

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). 
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/872 <![CDATA[Caveat for Cut-purses.<br /> ]]> 2021-03-26T09:37:46+11:00

Title

Caveat for Cut-purses.

Subtitle

With a warning to all purse-carriers: Shewing the confi-
dence of the first, and the carelesnesse of the last; With necessary admonitions for them both, lest the Hangman get the one, and the Begger take the other. To the tune of, Packingtons pound.

Synopsis

A warning to the listener to beware of cutpurses - often sung while cutpurses would steal from unaware listeners of the ballad-singer. Ballad-singer asks not to be put in same category as thieves.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

British Library - Roxburghe, Shelfmark: C.20.f.8.46-47; EBBA 30274

Set to tune of...

Transcription

MY Masters and friends and good people draw near and look to your purses, for that I do say.
And though little mony in them you do bear,
it cost more to get then to lose in a day: you oft have been told both the young and the Old, and bidden beware of of the Cut-purse so bold: Then if you take heed not, free me from the curse,
Who both give you warning, for and the Cut-purse.

Youth, youth thou hadst better been starvd by thy Nurse
Then live to be hangd for cutting a purse.

It hath been upbraided to men of my Trade, that oftentimes we are the cause of this crime,
Alack and for pitty, why should it be said? as if they regarded or places or time, Examples have been Or some that were seen of Westminster hall yea the pleaders between: Then why should the Judges be free from this curse,
More then my poor self is for cutting the Purse,

Youth youth, etc.

At Worster, tis known well and even in the Jale, a Knight of good worship did there shew his fa[ce] Against the foule sinners in zeale for to raile, and so lost, ipso facto, his purse in the place: Nay once from the Seat Of judgement so great a Judge there did lose a fair purse of Velvet, Oh Lord for thy mercy how wicked or worse
Are those that so venture their necks for a purse!

Youth youth, etc.

At Playes and at Sermons, and at the Sessions, tis daily their practice such booty to make, Yea under the Gallows at Executions, they stick not the stare-abouts purses to take. Nay one without grace At a better place at Court and in Christmas, before the Kings fa[ce.] Alack then for pitty must I bear the curse,
That only belong to the cunning Cut-purse.

Youth youth thou hadst better been starved by th[y Nurse]
Then live to be hangd for cutting a pu[rse.]

BUt oh! you vile Nation of Cutpurses all, Relent and repent, and amend and be sound,
And know that you ought not by honest mens fall advance your own fortunes to dye above ground.
And though you go gay In Silks as you may, It is not the highway to Heaven as they say,
Repent then repent you for better for worse
And kiss not the Gallows for cutting a purse,

Youth youth thou hadst better been starvd by thy Nurse
Then live to be hangd for cutting a purse.

The Players do tell you in Bartholmew Faire what secret consumptions and Rascals you are,
For one of their Actors it seems had the fate by some of your Trade to be fleeced of late, Then fall to your prayers You that are way-layers,
theyre fit to chouse all the world, that can cheat Players
For he hath the Art, and no man the worse,
Whose cunning can pilfer the pilferers purse.

Youth youth etc.

The plain Country man that coms staring to London if once you come near him he quickly is undone,
For when he amazedly gaz[e]th about one treads on his toes, an[d] the other pulst out, Then in a strange place Where he knows no face, his mony is gone tis a pittiful case.
The Divel of hell in his trade is not worse
Then Gilter, and Diver, and Cutter of purse,
Youth etc.

The poor servant maid wears her purse in her placket
A place of quick feeling and yet you can take it,
Nor is she aware that you have done the feat
Untill she is going to pay for her meat. Then she cryes and rages Amongst her Baggages, and swears at one thrust she hath lost all her wa-ges
For she is ingaged her own to disburse,
To make good the breach of the cruel Cut-purse
Youth etc.

Your eyes and your fingers are nimble of growth.
But Dun many times he hath been nimbler then both
Yet you are deceived by many a slut,
But the Hang-man is only the Cut-purses cut, It makes you to vex When he bridles your necks and then at the last what becomes of your tricks
But when you should pray, you begin for to curse
The hand that first shewd you to slash at a purse,
Youth, etc.

But now to my hearers this Counsel I give,
And pray friends remember it as long as you live,
Bring out no more cash in purse pocket or wallet,
Then one single penny to pay for the Ballet, For Cut-purse doth shrowd Himself in a Cloud, theres many a purse hath been lost in a crowd
For hes the most rogue that doth crowd up & curses
Who first cryes my Masters beware of your purses.
Oh youth thou hadst better been starvd by thy Nurse
Then live to be hanged for cutting a purse.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

stealing

Gender

Printing Location

Printed for W. Gilbertson.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/893 <![CDATA[THE High-way Mans Advice To his Brethren. ]]> 2020-01-08T16:10:29+11:00

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.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/897 <![CDATA[The Arrainement condemnation and execution of the grand [cutpurse] Iohn Selman ]]> 2020-01-08T16:46:44+11:00

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
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/915 <![CDATA[The Life and Death of George of OXFORD]]> 2020-01-08T14:25:20+11:00

Title

The Life and Death of George of OXFORD

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Houghton Library - Huth, EBB65H; Pepys 2.150 (cf. Roxburghe 4.53, EBBA ID: 31352); EBBA 35226

Set to tune of...

Poor Georgy

Transcription

A S I went over London Bridge all in a misty morning,
There did I see one weep and mourn, lamenting for her Georgy,

His time it is past, His life it will not last,
Alack and alas! there is no Remedy,
Which makes the heart within me Ready to burst in three
To think on the death of poor Goergy

George of Oxford is my name, and few there's but have known me,
Many a mad prank have I plaid but now they've overthrown me,

My time it is past, etc.

Oh! then bespake the Lady Gray, i'le haste me in the morning;
And to the Judge i'le make my way, to save the life of Georgy.

His time it is past,
His life else it may cost,
Alack and alas! is there no remedy? It makes the heart within me Ready to burst in three
To think on the death of poor Georgy.

Go Saddle me my milk-white Steed, go Saddle me my bonny,
That I may to New-Castle speed, to save the life of Georgy.

His time it is past, etc.

But when she came the Judge before full low her knee she bended,
For Georgy' s life she did implore, that she might be befriended.

His time may be past, His life else it may cost,
Alack and alas! is there no Remedy?
It makes the heart within me Ready to burst in three
To think on the death of poor Georgy

Oh rise, ah rise, fair Lady Gray, your suit cannot be granted;
Content pour self, as well you may, for Georgy must be hanged.

His time it is past etc.

She wept she waild she rung her hands and ceased not her mourning;
She offer'd Gold she offer'd Lands, to save the life of Georgy.

His time it is past. etc.

George's Confession.

I Have travell'd through the Land, and met with many a man, Sir;
But Knight or Lord I bid him stand he durst not make an answer.

But my thread it is spun,
My glass is almost run,
Alack and alas! there is no remedy; Which makes my heart within me Ready to burst in three
To die like a Dog, (says poor Georgy )


The Brittain bold that durst deny his mony for to tender,
Th'o he were stout as valiant Guy I forc'd him to surrender.

But now my thread is spun, etc.

But when the mony I had got,
and made him cry pecavi,
To bear his charge and pay his shot a Mark or Noble gave I.
But my thred it is spun, etc.

The Ladies when they had me seen would ne'r have been affrighted
To take a dance upon the Green with Georgy they delighted.

But now my thred it is spun, etc.

When I had ended this our wake and fairly them bespoken,
Their rings and jewels would I take to keep for a Token.
But now my thread is spun, etc.

The hue and cry for George is set, a proper handsome fellow,
With Diamond-Eyes as black as jet, and Locks like Gold so yellow.
His time is past, etc.

Long it was with all their art, e're they could apprehend him,
But at the last his valiant heart no longer could defend him.
His time it was past, etc.

I ne'r stole Horse nor Mare in my life nor Cloven-foot or any,
But once six of the kings white steeds and I sold them to Bohemia.
His time it was past, etc.

Georgy he went up the hill, and after followed many,
Georgy was hanged in silken string, the like was never any.
His time it was past,
His life will not last,
Alack and alas! there is no remedy, etc.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

theft

Gender

Date

Printing Location

Printed for P. Brooksby in West-smithfield, at the Sign of the Golden Ball, near/ the Bear Tavern in Pye Corner.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/957 <![CDATA[THE Swaggering Man.]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:43+11:00

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
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https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1202 <![CDATA[L'assassinat de Saint-Geniez]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:18+11:00

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/
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