The Newry Highwayman Lyrics
RunaSee also - Traditional Lyrics
Music Video
The Newry Highwayman Lyrics (Aruna Version)
Lyrics (Runa Version)
In Newry Town I was bred and born,
In Stephen's Green now I lie in scorn.
I served my time to the saddling trade,
But I turned out to be,
I turned out to be a roving blade.
At seventeen I took a wife,
I loved her dearly as I loved my life;
And so to keep her both fine and gay
I took to robbing,
Took to robbing on the King's highway.
I robbed Lord Golding, I do declare,
And Lady Mansel up in Grosvenor Square;
I closed the shutters and bade them goodnight
And home I went then,
Home I went then to my Heart's delight.
I never robbed a poor man yet,
Nor lately caused anyone to fret;
I robbed the lords and the ladies bright,
And I took their jewels,
Took their jewels to my Heart's delight.
I never robbed a poor man yet,
Nor any tradesman did beset;
I robbed the lords and the ladies bright,
Took their jewels to my Heart's delight.
To Covent Garden I made my way
With my dear wife for to see the play;
Lord Fielding's gang they did me pursue
And I was taken,
I was taken by the curséd crew.
My father cried "O, me darling son."
My wife, she wept and cried: "I am undone".
My mother tore her white locks and cried
Saying: "In the cradle,
In the cradle he should have died."
My father cried "My darling son."
My wife, she wept: "I am undone".
My mother tore her locks and cried
"In the cradle he should have died."
[ Instrumental ]
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 good broadswords,
Them good broadswords and sweet liberty.
Six pretty maidens to bear my pall
Give them white garlands and ribbons all
And when I'm dead they will speak the truth
He was a wild and,
Was a wild and a wicked youth.
The Newry Highwayman - Traditional Lyrics
Lyrics (Traditional Version)
In Newry Town I was bred and born.
At Steven's Green now I die in scorn,
I served my time in the saddling trade.
But I turned out to be,
But I turned out to be a roving blade.
At seventeen I took a wife,
I loved her dearly as I loved my life;
And for to keep her both fine and gay
I went a-robbing,
I went a-robbing on the King's highway.
'Tis when my money it did grow low,
Upon the highway I was forced to go;
I robbed both lords and ladies bright
And brought their gold home,
And brought their gold home to my Heart's delight.
I never robbed no poor man yet,
Nor any tradesman caused I to fret;
But I robbed lords and ladies bright,
And brought their jewels,
And brought their jewels to my Heart's delight.
I robbed Lord Golding, I do declare,
And Lady Mansel, in Grosvenor Square;
I shut the shutter and bade them goodnight
And home I went then,
And home I went then to my Heart's delight.
To Covent Garden I took my way
With my dear wife for to see the play;
Lord Fielding's gang they did me pursue
And I was taken,
And I was taken by that curséd crew.
My father cried "O, my darling son."
My wife, she wept and sighed: "I am undone".
My mother tore her white locks and cried
Saying: "In the cradle,
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 good broadswords,
Give them good broadswords and sweet liberty.
Six pretty maidens to bear my pall
Give them white garlands and ribbons all
And when I'm dead they will speak the truth
He was a wild and,
He was a wild and a wicked youth.
Song Details
🎶 Tune: Traditional Irish / British Isles Ballad
✍️ Lyrics: Traditional (Roud 490 / Laws L12)
📜 Earliest Printing: The Irish Robber’s Adventure (John Brown, Monaghan, 1788)
📝 Song Brief: A traditional ballad found across Ireland, England, and North America, telling the story of a young robber who recounts his life of crime, love, and eventual capture. The earliest known printing dates to 1788, though the song was already circulating in oral tradition long before that. Over time it developed many regional titles — including “The Roving Blade,” “The Wild and Wicked Youth,” and “The Rambling Boy” — each preserving the same core narrative.
📖 Glossary:- Newry Town — A town in Northern Ireland, historically a busy trading centre between Belfast and Dublin.
- St Stephen’s Green — a public park in central Dublin.
- Grosvenor Square — A well‑known square in London associated with wealth and aristocracy. In folk songs, it often represents the world of the upper classes, whether real or imagined.
- Covent Garden — a historic district in central London, known for its market, theatres, and lively street life.
- Roving blade — A colloquial term meaning a wandering young man, often adventurous, bold, or living outside the law.
- King’s highway — A public road under the protection of the Crown. In older songs and legal language, robbing on the King’s highway refers to highway robbery — a serious crime punishable by death.
- Broadswords — Large, broad‑bladed swords used historically by soldiers and cavalry. In ballads, “broadswords” often evoke images of military pursuit, danger, or dramatic confrontation.
🍀 Genre: Traditional folk ballad
👥 Covers: The Dubliners, The Johnstons, Makem & Clancy, Seamus Kennedy, Solas, The Rapparees, Malinky, The Pint.
🎤 Featured Artist: Runa — a contemporary Celtic‑roots band known for their vibrant arrangements, rich vocal harmonies, and a modern energy that still honours traditional music. Formed in the United States with members from both sides of the Atlantic, the group blends Irish and Scottish influences with American folk traditions, creating a sound that is both fresh and deeply rooted.
💿 Album: Stretched On Your Grave
Released: 26 March 2011
Label: RUNA Music
