The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #98727   Message #1958373
Posted By: Gulliver
05-Feb-07 - 06:30 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Sweeney's Men song 'Johnstone'
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sweeney's Men song
Sorry, it's the song "Two Butchers" in the DT.

Here's one version (the version that I sing is called "Lonzo and Howard"):

It's of three jolly butcher boys, a journey took one day
They swore they'd gain ten thousand pounds upon the Queen's highway.

They rode along together, as fast as they could ride
"Oh stop, oh stop," cried young Johnson, "for l hear a woman cry."

"Oh, l won't stop," cried William. "Nor l won't stop," cried Brian.
"Then l will stop," cried Johnson, "for l hear a woman cry."

He boldly turned his horse around and searched the green fields all round
Until he found a woman with her hair pinned to the ground.

"What brought you here?" cried Johnson. "What brought you here this way?"
"It was three accursed robbers that have brought me here today.

"They robbed me and they handcuffed me, my hands and feet they bound
And left me here half-naked, with my hair pinned to the ground.

Now, Johnson being a brilliant man, he took her up behind
And took his coat off from his back to shield her from the wind.

They rode along together, as fast as they could ride,
She put her fingers to her lips and gave three mournful cries.

Then out stepped ten bold robbers, with weapons in their hands
They boldly looked at Johnson as they ordered him to stand.

"Oh, l will stand," cried Johnson, "As long as l can stand
For l never was a coward or afraid of any man."

Then out of ten, he nine knocked down. This woman he did not mind
She pulled his knife out from his belt and pierced him through behind.

"Now I must fall, cried Johnson and, falling to the ground,
"It was that accursed woman that gave me my deadly wound."

This woman, she was taken, chained down in irons strong,
For murdering one of the finest men that ever the sun shined on.