The Three Butchers Lyrics
This song dates way back to the 17th century and was written by Paul Burges from England. It was recorded by Sweeney's Men.sung by Johnnie Moynihan who named it ''Johnston'', it was also covered by Pete Seeger. Sent to me by Patrick Burke. One of my favorite Sweeney's Men song's is The West Coast Of Clare . I hope to have chords for this one soon. The lyrics printed here are slightly different than the Pete Seeger version and are taken from the Johnny Moynihan version.
Johnstone he was riding along
As fast as he could ride Til he thought he heard a woman, He heard a woman cry. And johnstone gets off his horse And searches the woods all round Till he came upon a woman, With her hair bent to the ground. 2 And Johnstone being a man of his own And being a man and bold. He has taken off his soldiers cloak To cover her from the cold Oh woman my dearest woman Who then brought ye here for this far Who that brought you here this may morning With yer hair bent to the ground. 3 Oh it was three bold and struggling men With swords gleaming on Who that brought me here this may morning With me hair pinned to the ground And Johnstone gets on his horse And the woman gets on behind They rode down that lonesome highway Their fortune for to find. (Tin Whistle Mandoline Music Break) 4 And then they were wide In no way long As faster they could ride She has blown her fingers to her lips And gave three shivering cries And out sprang three bold and struggling men With swords gleaming on Who let them on the Johnstone And commanded him to stand. 5 Oh I will stand said Johnstone I’ll stand then for thee For I never was in all of my life Afraid of any three And Johnstone he killed two of them Not minding the woman behind While he was after the other one She stabbed him from behind. 6 And the day was free and a market day And the people all passing by Could have seen then this awful murder Could have seen poor Johnstone die (Tin whistle guitar and Mandoline Music) (Which fades out at the end.) End. (Trad. Arr. Woods/Irvine/Moynihan. Transatlantic Records) |
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