Valentine O'Hara

I am a gallant highwayman 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.

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.

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,
Oh, cruel usage they gave me and so I soon departed.

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.

But I being of a courage keen and likewise able bodied,
I robbed Lord Nounce on the King’s highway with pistols heavy loaded.
I placed my pistols to his breast which caused his heart to quiver,
Five hundred pounds in ready gold to me he did deliver.

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 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.

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.

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.

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