Traditional Irish Folk
Valentine O’Hara
[Verse 1]
I am a gallant highway man, called Valentine O'Hara
And I come from poor but decent folk nigh' to the hill of Tara
By the getting of a maid with child, to England I went over
I left my parents and I became a wild and daring rover

[Verse 2]
Well it's straight to England I did go, where I became a soldier
Resolved to fight Britannia's foe; not Hector Great was bolder
I fought all in some foreign shores, where cannons loud did rattle
Believe me boys I do not boast how I behaved in battle

[Verse 3]
Well it’s many’s the battle I fought in
In Holland and French Flanders
But I always fought with a courage keen
Led on by great commanders
Until a cruel ensign found me out, and I was flogged and carted
Ooh cruel usage they gave me, and so I soon departed

[Verse 4]
Well it’s straight back to England I did go
As fast as winds would drive me
Resolved that of my liberty, no man could e’er deny me
But I slept out in the fields at night, by all my friends forsaken
I dare not walk the road by day, for fear I might be taken
[Verse 5]
But I being of the courage keen and likewise able bodied
I robbed Lord Nounce of the King’s highway
With pistols heavy loaded
I placed my pistols to his breast
Which caused his his heart to quiver
Five hundred pounds in ready gold, to me he did deliver

[Verse 6]
Well with part of my new store of gold
I bought a famous gelding
That could jump over a five bar gate
And I bought him from on Ned Fielding
Lord Arkenstone all in his coach I robbed near Covent Garden
And two hours later that same night, I robbed the Earl of Warren

[Verse 7]
In Turnham Green I next did rob, the revenue collector
And what I took from him, I gave to a widow to protect her
I always robbed the rich and great
For to rob the poor I scorned
And now in iron chains I’m bound, and doomed I now lie burning

[Verse 8]
And it’s straight to Newgate I do go, all by the law convicted
To hang all on the Tyburn Tree, of which I’m much affrighted
Farewell my friends and neighbours all
Likewise my native Tara
Kind providence may test the soul of Valentine O’Hara