Tony Rose - The Three Butchers lyrics

A story I will tell to you, it is of butchers three, Gibson, Wilson and Johnson, mark well what I do say; Now as they had five hundred pound all on a market day, Now as they had five hundred pound to pay upon their way. And as they rode along the road as fast as they could ride, "Spur on your horse," bold Johnson called, "for I hear a woman cry." And as they came into the woods, the scene they spied around, They saw a naked woman lie a-swooning on the ground. "O woman, o woman," Johnson cried, "Oh pray come tell to me." "O woman, o woman," Johnson cried, "Have you got any company?" "Oh, no no no," that woman said, "However can that be When here have been by ten swaggering blades who've robbed and beaten me." Now Johnson being a valiant man and he bore a valiant mind, He wrapped her up in his great coat and he set her up behind. And as they rode along the road as fast as they could ride, She put her fingers to her ears and she gave a screetful cry. With that came out ten swaggering blades with the rapiers in their hands, And they rode up to bold Johnson, and they boldly bid him stand. "Oh, I will not fight," young Gibson says, "for I fear that I will die." "No more will I," cries Wilson, "for I would sooner fly!" "Come on! Come on!" said the bold Johnson, "I'll fight you all so free. And woman, stand you here behind, we'll gain the victory." Now the very first pistol Johnson fired was loaded with powder and ball And out of them ten swaggering blades, well five of them did fall. "Come on! Come on!" said the bold Johnson, "There are but five to me. And woman, stand you here behind, we'll gain the victory." And the very next pistol Johnson fired was loaded with powder and ball And out of them five swaggering blades, well three of them did fall. "Come on! Come on!" said the bold Johnson, "I'll fight you both so free. And woman, stand you here behind, we'll gain the victory." Now Johnson fought those rogues in front, the woman he did not mind, She took his knife all from his side and she ripped him down behind. "Well I must fall," said the bold Johnson, "I must fall to the ground, For helping a wicked woman, she gave me my d**h wound." O woman, o woman, o woman, do you see what you have done? You k**ed the bravest butcher that ever the sun shone on. And just has she had done the deed some men came riding by, And when they saw what she had done they raised an awful cry. Now she was condemned to die in chains, in iron links so strong For murdering of bold Johnson, that brave and valiant man.