Lyrics Three Jolly Butchers - Gryphon

Three Jolly Butchers

It’s of three jolly butchers
As I’ve heard many say
They were going to some market town
Their money for to pay
They rode together for a mile or two
And a little more besides
Said Johnson unto Jipson
«Stop I heard a woman cry»
«Then stop I won’t» said Jipson
«And stop I won’t» said Ryde
«Then stop I will» said Johnson
«For I heard a woman cry»
So Johnson he alighted
And viewed the place around
And saw a naked woman
With her hair tied to the ground
«How came you here?»
said Johnson
«How came you here?»
said he
«Two highway men have robbed me
That you can plainly see»
Then Johnson being a valiant man
A man of courage bold
He took the coat from off his back
To keep her from the cold
Then Johnson being a valiant man
A man of valiant mind
He sat her up upon his horse
And mounted up behind
And as they rode along the road
As fast as they could ride
She put her fingers to her lips
And gave three piercing cries
Out sprang ten bold highwaymen
With weapons in their hands
They strode up to young Johnson
And boldly bid him stand
«Stand I will» said Johnson
«As long as ever I can
For I was never in all my life
Afraid of any man»
Then Johnson being a valiant man
He made those bullets fly
Till nine of them bold highwaymen
All on the ground did lie
This wicked woman standing by
Young Johnson did not mind
She took a knife all from his side
And stabbed him from behind
This day it being a market day
And people passing by
They saw this woman’s dreadful deed
And raised a hue and cry
Then she was down to Newgate brought
Bound down in irons strong
For killing the finest butcher
As ever the sun shone on