We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Highwayman

from A Celebration of Twenty by IONA

/

about

The Highwayman/Ev Chistr’ Ta, Laou (Have more cider, Bill)/An Alarc’h (The Swan)/To Mirth Inclined
- Irish/Breton/Cornish
When we arranged the Highwayman on "Back to our Roots" (our 1992 recording), we remarked on its similarity to the words of a Cornish song, and the tune of an ancient Cornish Christmas carol, not to mention a definite Breton influence. So we gathered up tunes of two Breton songs we’ve used on other recordings, and that Christmas carol, and combined them all in a puzzle we may never unravel.

lyrics

THE HIGHWAYMAN

In Newry town I was bred and born,
At Steven’s Green now I die in scorn.
I served my time to the sovereign trade,
But I turned out to be a rovin’ blade.

At seventeen I took a wife.
I loved her dearer than I loved my life,
But for to keep her both fine and gay,
I took to robbin’ on the king’s highway.

And when my bounty it did run low
Upon the highway I was forced to go,
And I to lords and ladies ride,
And rob their gold unto my heart’s delight.

I never robbed no poor man yet,
Nor honoured tradesman that I have met,
But I to lords and to ladies ride,
And rob their jewels unto my heart’s delight.

I robbed Lord Golden I do declare,
And Lady Mansel in Grosvenor Square.
I took my share and bade them good-night,
And home I went then unto my heart’s delight.

To Covent Garden I took my way
With my dear wife for to see a play.
Lord Golden’s gang they did me pursue
And I was taken by the cursed crew.

My father cried, “Oh my darling son”.
My wife she wept and said, “I am undone!”
My mother tore her white locks and cried,
“‘Tis in the cradle he should have died!”

And when I’m dead and in my grave,
A flashy funeral pray let me have
With six bold highwaymen to carry me.
Give them the broadsword and sweet liberty.

Six pretty maidens to bear my pall:
Give them white garlands and lilies all.
And when I’m dead let them speak the truth,
“He was a wild and a wicked youth!”

credits

from A Celebration of Twenty, released May 15, 2006
Barbara Tresidder Ryan (lead vocals, Celtic bouzouki)
Bernard Argent (wooden flute)
Chuck Lawhorn (bass guitar)
Andrew Dodds (fiddle)

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

IONA image

IONA Washington, D.C.

IONA has been taking its unique brand of traditional Celtic music to festivals, arts centers, schools & house concerts all over North America and Europe since 1986, blending music from the various Celtic traditions with stories and a little humor - Barbara Ryan (vocals, bouzouki, bodhran), Bernard Argent (flute, doumbek), Chuck Lawhorn (bass), Jim Queen (fiddle, banjo) & Kathleen Larrick (dance). ... more

contact / help

Contact IONA

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like IONA, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Saxophonist Isaiah Collier chats about his new LP and the influence of Pharoah Sanders.
listen now