Luke Huttons Lamentation,

Luke Huttons Lamentation,

which he wrote the day before his Death, being condemned to be hang'd at York, for his Robberies and Trespasses committed thereabouts.

Pepys 2.147; National Library of Scotland - Crawford, EB.554, EBBA 32986; University of Glasgow Library - Euing 1.189, EBBA 31944

I Am a poor Prisoner condemned to die
ah wo is me, wo is me, for my great folly
Fast fettered in Irons in place where I lye be warned young wantons, hemp passeth green holly.
My Parents were of good degree
By whom I would not ruled be Lord Jesus receive me, with mercy relieve me, Receive O sweet Saviour, my Spirit unto thee.

My name is Hutton, yea Luke of bad life ah wo is me, etc.
Which on the High-way did rob Man and Wife be warned
Inticed by many a graceless mate
Whose Counsel I repent too late. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Not twenty years Old (alas) was I
ah wo is me, etc.
When I began this Fellony be warned
With me went still twelve Yeomen tall
Which I did my twelve Apostles call Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

There was no Squire nor Baron bold ah wo is me, etc.
That rode by the way with silver and gold be warned
But I and my Apostles gay
Would lighten their load ere they went away. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

This news procured my Kinsfolks grief ah wo is me, etc.
That hearing I was a famous Thief[,] be warned
They wept, they wailed, they wrung their hands
That thus I should hazzard life and lands Lord Jesus forgive me etc.

They made me a Jaylor a little before oh wo is me, etc.
To keep in Prison Offendors sore be warned
But such a Jaylor was never known
I went and let them out every one. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

I wis this sorrow sore grieved me ah wo is me, etc.
Such proper men should hanged be be warned
My Office then I did defie
And ran away for company. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Three years I lived upon the Spoil ah wo is me, etc.
Giving many an Earl the foyl be warned
Yet did I never kill man nor wife
Though lewdly long I led my life. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

But all too bad my deeds have been ah wo is me, etc.
Offending my Country, and my good Queen be warned
All men in York-shire talk of me
A stronger Thief there could not be Lord Jesus forgive me, with mercy relieve me, Receive O Sweet Saviour, my Spirit unto thee.

UPon Saint Lukes day was I born ah wo is me, ah wo is me, for my, etc.
Who want of Grace hath made me scorn
be warned young wantons, hemp, etc.
In honour of my Birth=day then
I rob'd in bravery nineteen men Lord Jesus forgive me, with mercy relieve me, Receive O sweet Saviour, my Spirit unto thee.

The Country were to hear this wrong ah wo is me, etc.
With Hues and Cryes, persued me long be warned
Though long I scap'd. yet loe at the last
At London I was in Newgate cast. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Where I did lye with grieved mind ah wo is me, etc.
Although my Keeper was gentle and kind be warned
Yet was he not so kind as I
To let me go at liberty.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

At last the Sheriff of York-shire came ah wo is me, etc.
And in a Warrant he had my name be warned
Quoth he at York thou must be try'd
With me therefore hence must thou ride Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Like pangs of Death his words did sound ah wo is me, etc.
My hands and arms full fast he bound be warned
Good Sir, quoth I, I had rather stay
I have no heart to ride that way. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

When no intreaty would prevail ah wo is me, etc.
I called for Wine, Beer, and Ale be warned
And when my heart was in woful case
I drank to my friends with a smiling face Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

With clubs and staves I was guarded then ah wo is me, etc.
I never before had such waiting men be warned
If they had ridden before me amain
Be-shrew me if I had call'd them again Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

And when unto York that I was come ah wo is me, etc.
Each one on me did cast his doom be warned
And whilst you live, this sentence note
Evil men can never have good report. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Before the Judges then I was brought ah wo is me, etc.
But sure I had a careful thought
be warned
Ninescore Indictments and seventeen
Against me there were red and seen. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

And each of those were fellony found ah wo is me, etc.
Which did my heart with sorrow wound
be warned
What should I herein longer stay
For this I was condemned that day, Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

My Death each hour I did attand ah wo is me, etc.
In prayers and tears my time I did spend be warned
And all my loving friends that Day
I did intreat for me to pray. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

I have deserved Death long since ah wo is me, etc.
A viler sinner lived not than I be warned
On Friends I hoped life to save
But I am fitted for the grave. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Adieu my loving friends each one ah woe is me, etc.
Think on me Lords when I am gone be warned
When on the Ladder you do me view
Think I am neerer Heaven then you. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

hanging

highway robbery

York

London, Printed for J. Wright, J. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T. Passenger.

This is another version of a Luke Hutton pamphlet, to same tune, but printed many years later.