The Naked Highwayman
Fairport Convention
Letra

Álbum: Jewel in the Crown ( 1995)

Intro 

Verse 

As I rode out one summer s day, for profit and for pleasure 

I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my leisure 

A brace of pistols duly primed, a sabre fit to shave on 

I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of Avon 

Verse 

I didn t hear her dainty step, as she appeared before me 

A face to charm a singing bird, with words that did implore me 

"Can you help me sir?" she said, "I fear the time is near run 

For me to cross before the tide swells the banks of Avon" 

All you roving fellows, listen while you can 

Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 

Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can 

Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 

Verse 

So gallantly I did dismount and walked into the water 

As she told me that she was a wealthy merchant s daughter 

So I thought I d try my luck and do my best to charm her 

Said I was the only son of a country farmer 

Verse 

"Your hands they are as smooth as silk, they never touched a plough, sir 

I suppose those pistols help you milking of your cows" 

She looked at me with mocking eyes, as coal-black as a raven 

And then she fell into my arms beside the banks of Avon 

All you roving fellows, listen while you can 

Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 

Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can 

Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 

Instrumental

Verse 

Her honeyed lips, I was beguiled, a lamb led to the slaughter 

Eventually I fell asleep in the arms of the merchant s daughter 

When I awoke I was alone, my clothes and pistols taken 

With just the leaves to hide my shame beside the banks of Avon 

Verse 

In vain I tried to catch a glimpse of the city spires 

Running like a rabbit through the bushes and the briars 

Then I heard the London coach and I was all a-shiver 

A lady s voice was calling out, "Stand-to and deliver!" 

All you roving fellows, listen while you can 

Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 

Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can 

Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 

Verse 

"Your money or your life I ll have, it s all the same to me 

It s hanged for a sheep or murder in the first degree" 

She stood there in my overcoat, brandishing my pistol 

And relieved the London coach of the gold of Bristol 

Verse 

And she s up and mounted on my horse and rode into the distance 

And I went naked to the coach begging for assistance 

No more I ll play the highwaymen, nor more I ll put the mask on 

I ll leave it to the bright-eyed girl who roams the banks of Avon 

All you roving fellows, listen while you can 

Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 

Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can 

Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 

Instrumental

Verse 

As I rode out one summer s day, for profit and for pleasure 

I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my leisure 

A brace of pistols duly primed, a sabre fit to shave on 

I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of Avon 

Outro