Three Jolly Butchers - Gryphon

It’s of three jolly butchers

As I’ve heard many say

They were going to some market town

Their money for to pay

They rode together for a mile or two

And a little more besides

Said Johnson unto Jipson

«Stop I heard a woman cry»

«Then stop I won’t» said Jipson

«And stop I won’t» said Ryde

«Then stop I will» said Johnson

«For I heard a woman cry»

So Johnson he alighted

And viewed the place around

And saw a naked woman

With her hair tied to the ground

«How came you here?»

said Johnson

«How came you here?»

said he

«Two highway men have robbed me

That you can plainly see»

Then Johnson being a valiant man

A man of courage bold

He took the coat from off his back

To keep her from the cold

Then Johnson being a valiant man

A man of valiant mind

He sat her up upon his horse

And mounted up behind

And as they rode along the road

As fast as they could ride

She put her fingers to her lips

And gave three piercing cries

Out sprang ten bold highwaymen

With weapons in their hands

They strode up to young Johnson

And boldly bid him stand

«Stand I will» said Johnson

«As long as ever I can

For I was never in all my life

Afraid of any man»

Then Johnson being a valiant man

He made those bullets fly

Till nine of them bold highwaymen

All on the ground did lie

This wicked woman standing by

Young Johnson did not mind

She took a knife all from his side

And stabbed him from behind

This day it being a market day

And people passing by

They saw this woman’s dreadful deed

And raised a hue and cry

Then she was down to Newgate brought

Bound down in irons strong

For killing the finest butcher

As ever the sun shone on