For information, in case readers have not seen any of the English versions, here is the text from Henry Burstow, Sussex collected by Lucy Broadwood in 1903 and published in the Folk Song Journal. His only crime, as far as I can see was for anticipating his wedding as the original poster mentioned, unless his stealing "other women" means he was unfaithful to his fiancee. And even then, the punishment hardly fits the crime.


GILDEROY

Now Gilderoy was a bonny boy and he would not soft ribbons wear.
He's pulled off his scarlet coat, he gartered below his knee.
He was beloved by the ladies so gay and he was such a rakish boy;
He is my sovereign heart's delight, my handsome bold young Gilderoy.

Young Gilderoy and I was born all in one town together
And at the age of seventeen years we courted one each other.
Our dads and our mums they both did agree and crowned with mirth and joy
To think that I should marry with my handsome bold young Gilderoy.

Now Gilderoy and I walked out all in the fields together;
He took me round the waist so small and down we went together.
And when he had done all a man could do, he rose and kissed his joy,
He is my sovereign heart's delight, my handsome bold young Gilderoy.

What a pity it is a man should hang for stealing other women, where
He had neither robbed a house nor land and he stole neither horse nor deer.
For he was beloved by the old and the young and he was such a rakish boy,
He was my sovereign heart's delight, my handsome bold young Gilderoy.

Now Gilderoy they've hung him high and a funeral for him we shall have;
With a sword and a pistol by my side I'll guard my true love to his grave.
For he was beloved by the young and the old and he was such a rakish boy,
He was my sovereign heart's delight, my handsome bold young Gilderoy.