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