Fairport Convention - The naked highwayman

As ^CI rode out one summer's day, for profit and for pleasure I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my ^Gleisure A ^Cbrace of pistols duly primed, a sabre fit to shave on I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of ^GAvon

I ^Cdidn't hear her dainty step, as she appeared before me A face to charm a singing bird, with words that did im^Gplore me "^CCan you help me sir?" she said, "I fear the time is near run For me to cross before the tide swells the banks of ^GAvon"

^CAll you roving fellows, listen while you ^Fcan ^COf the time that I became a naked highway^Fman Come ^Call you roving fellows, listen while you ^Fcan ^COf the time that I became a naked highway^Fman

So ^Cgallantly I did dismount and walked into the water As she told me that she was a wealthy merchant's ^Gdaughter ^CSo I thought I'd try my luck and do my best to charm her Said I was the only son of a country ^Gfarmer

"Your ^Chands they are as smooth as silk, they never touched a plough, sir I suppose those pistols help you milking of your ^Gcows" She ^Clooked at me with mocking eyes, as coal-black as a raven And then she fell into my arms beside the banks of ^GAvon

^CAll you roving fellows, listen while you ^Fcan ^COf the time that I became a naked highway^Fman Come ^Call you roving fellows, listen while you ^Fcan ^COf the time that I became a naked highway^Fman

Her ^Choneyed lips, I was beguiled, a lamb led to the slaughter Eventually I fell asleep in the arms of the merchant's ^Gdaughter When ^CI awoke I was alone, my clothes and pistols taken With just the leaves to hide my shame beside the banks of ^GAvon

In ^Cvain I tried to catch a glimpse of the city spires Running like a rabbit through the bushes and the ^Gbriars ^CThen I heard the London coach and I was all a-shiver A lady's voice was calling out, "Stand-to and de^Gliver!"

^CAll you roving fellows, listen while you ^Fcan ^COf the time that I became a naked highway^Fman Come ^Call you roving fellows, listen while you ^Fcan ^COf the time that I became a naked highway^Fman

"Your ^Cmoney or your life I'll have, it's all the same to me It's hanged for a sheep or murder in the first de^Ggree" She ^Cstood there in my overcoat, brandishing my pistol And relieved the London coach of the gold of ^GBristol

And she's ^Cup and mounted on my horse and rode into the distance And I went naked to the coach begging for as^Gsistance No ^Cmore 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 ^GAvon

^CAll you roving fellows, listen while you ^Fcan ^COf the time that I became a naked highway^Fman Come ^Call you roving fellows, listen while you ^Fcan ^COf the time that I became a naked highway^Fman

As ^CI rode out one summer's day, for profit and for pleasure I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my ^Gleisure A ^Cbrace of pistols duly primed, a sabre fit to shave on I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of ^GAvon