Dick Turpin

Words and music are in The Copper Family Song Book, but not in Bob Copper's book A Song for Every Season.

As I was a-riding along on the moor
I saw the lawyer on before,
I ride up to him these words I say,
Have you seen Turpin pass this way?

For I'm the hero, the Turpin hero,
I am the great Dick Turpin ho.

No I an't seen Turpin pass this way
Neither do I want to see him this long day
For he robbed my wife all of ten pounds
A silver snuffbox and a new gown.

For I'm the hero etc.

O, says Turpin, I'll play cute,
I'll put my money down in my boot.
O, says the lawyer, he can't have mine,
For mine's sewn up in the cape behind.

For I'm the hero etc.

As we were riding up Bradbury Hill
I bid the lawyer to stand still,
For the cape of his coat I must cut off
For my horse he wants a new saddle cloth.

For I'm the hero etc.

I robbed the lawyer of all his store
And bid him to go to law for more,
And if my name is questioned in
You can tell him my name is Dick Turpin.

For I'm the hero etc.

I am the last of Turpin's gang
And I am sure I shall be hanged,
Here's fifty pounds before I die
To give Jack Ketch for hanging I.

For I'm the hero etc.

Notes

Jim recalled this song being sung by Fred "Nobby" Earle, a farm labourer of Rottingdean.