From Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads, Harding B 11(1226):

THE FLASH LAD

Adieu, adieu, it was my fate,
I was brought up in a tender state,
Until bad counsel did me entice,
To leave off work and follow vice.

CHORUS: Which makes me now to lament and say:
Pity the fall of young fellows all.
Well-a-day! Well-a-day!

At cups and cards I took great delight,
Singing in alehouses day and night.
A pretty girl was my chiefest joy.
I took delight as a roving boy.

At seventeen, I took a wife.
I loved her dearly as my life;
And to maintain her fine and gay,
I went to rob on the King's highway.

My father and my mother too
Told me such things would never do;
But I never minded what they did say,
But took my horse and rode away.

There's you and I and Jack Douglas both.
We were all sworn by a solemn oath
To go and rob on the King's highway.
The first we met was to be our prey.

When mounted on a milk-white steed,
I thought myself a flash lad indeed.
With my cock'd pistol and broad sword,
"Stand and deliver" was the word.

The first we met was a gentleman.
We rode up to him and bade him stand;
But in spite of all he could say or do,
We robbed him first and killed him too.

Before Judge Hale then I was brought.
Before Judge Hale then I was brought.
Says Henry Jones, "That will not do.
My iron chest you have broken through."

I never rob for any clothes.
I hate such trifling things as those.
I rob for gold and silver bright
For to maintain my heart's delight.

It's when you hear my death bell toll,
Pray God for mercy on my sinful soul;
And when they carry me to the grave,
A decent funeral let me have.

Let six young women bear up my pall.
Give them white gowns and ribbons all,
That they may say and speak the truth:
"There goes a wild and abandoned youth."

Let six highwaymen follow my pall.
Give them cocked pistols powder and ball
That they may fire over my grave,
And say, "Take warning, young fellows all."