THE THREE BUTCHERS.

It was Ips, Gips, and Johnson, as I’ve heard many say,
They had five hundred guineas, all on a market day:
As they rode over Northumberland, as hard as they could ride,
Oh, hark, Oh, hark, says Johnson, I hear a woman cry.

Then Johnson, being a valiant man, a man of courage bold,
He ranged the woods all over, till this woman he did behold,
How came you here? says Johnson, how came you here I pray,
I am come here to relieve you, if you will not me betray.

There have been ten swaggering blades, have hand and foot me bound,
And stripped me stark naked, with my hair pinn’d on the ground;
Then Johnson, being a valiant man, a man of courage bold,
He took his coat from off his back, to keep her from the cold.

As they rode over Northumberland, as hard as they could ride,
She put her fingers in her ears, and dismally she cried,
Then up start ten swaggering blades, with weapons in their hand,
And, riding up to Johnson, they bid him for to stand.

It’s I’ll not stand, said Ipson, then no indeed, not I,
Nor, I’ll not stand, said Gipson, I’d sooner live than die.
Then I will stand, said Johnson, I’ll stand the while I can,
I never yet was daunted, nor afraid of any man.

Then Johnson drew his glittering sword, with all his might and main,
So well he laid upon him, that eight of them were slain:
As he was fighting the other two, this woman he did not mind,
She took the knife all from his side, and ripped him up behind.

Now I must fall, says Johnson, I must fall unto the ground,
For relieving this wicked woman, she gave me my death wound,
Oh base woman, Oh base woman, whatever hast thou done,
Thou hast killed the finest butcher that ever the sun shone on.

This happened on a Market Day, as people were riding by,
To see this dreadful murder, they gave the hue and cry,
It’s now this woman’s taken, and bound in irons strong,
For killing the finest butcher that ever the sun shone on.

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