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EBBA 32986

National Library of Scotland - Crawford
Ballad XSLT Template
Luke Huttons Lamentation, which he wrote the day before
his Death, being condemned to be hang'd at York, for his Robberies and Trespasses committed
thereabouts.
To the Tune of, wandring and wavering.

I Am a poor Prisoner condemned to die
ah wo is me, wo is me, for my great folly
Fast fettered in Irons in place where I lye
be warned young wantons, hemp passeth green holly.
My Parents were of good degree
By whom I would not ruled be
Lord Jesus receive me, with mercy relieve me,
Receive O sweet Saviour, my Spirit unto thee.

My name is Hutton, yea Luke of bad life
ah wo is me, etc.
Which on the High-way did rob Man and Wife
be warned
Inticed by many a graceless mate
Whose Counsel I repent too late.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.
Not twenty years Old (alas) was I
ah wo is me, etc.
When I began this Fellony
be warned
With me went still twelve Yeomen tall
Which I did my twelve Apostles call
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

There was no Squire nor Baron bold
ah wo is me, etc.
That rode by the way with silver and gold
be warned
But I and my Apostles gay
Would lighten their load ere they went away.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

This news procured my Kinsfolks grief
ah wo is me, etc.
That hearing I was a famous Thief
be warned

They wept, they wailed, they wrung their hands
That thus I should hazzard life and lands
Lord Jesus forgive me etc.

They made me a Jaylor a little before
oh wo is me, etc.
To keep in Prison Offendors sore
be warned
But such a Jaylor was never known
I went and let them out every one.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

I wis this sorrow sore grieved me
ah wo is me, etc.
Such proper men should hanged be
be warned
My Office then I did defie
And ran away for company.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Three years I lived upon the Spoil
ah wo is me, etc.
Giving many an Earl the foyl
be warned
Yet did I never kill man nor wife
Though lewdly long I led my life.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

But all too bad my deeds have been
ah wo is me, etc.
Offending my Country, and my good Queen
be warned
All men in York-shire talk of me
A stronger Thief there could not be
Lord Jesus forgive me, with mercy relieve me,
Receive O Sweet Saviour, my Spirit unto thee.

UPon Saint Lukes day was I born
ah wo is me, ah wo is me, for my, etc.
Who want of Grace hath made me scorn
be warned young wantons, hemp, etc.
In honour of my Birth-day then
I rob'd in bravery nineteen men
Lord Jesus forgive me, with mercy relieve me,
Receive O sweet Saviour, my Spirit unto thee.

The Country were to hear this wrong
ah wo is me, etc.
With Hues and Cryes, persued me long
be warned
Though long I scrap'd. yet loe at the last
At London I was in Newgate cast.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Where I did lye with grieved mind
ah wo is me, etc.
Although my Keeper was gentle and kind
be warned
Yet was he not so kind as I
To let me go at liberty.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

At last the Sheriff of York-shire came
ah wo is me, etc.
And in a Warrant he had my name
be warned
Quoth he at York thou must be try'd
With me therefore hence must thou ride
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Like pangs of Death his words did sound
ah wo is me, etc.
My hands and arms full fast he bound
be warned
Good Sir, quoth I, I had rather stay
I have no heart to ride that way.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.
When no intreaty would prevail
ah wo is me, etc.

I called for Wine, Beer, and Ale
be warned
And when my heart was in woful case
I drank to my friends with a smiling face
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

With clubs and staves I was guarded then
ah wo is me, etc.
I never before had such waiting men
be warned
If they had ridden before me amain
Be-shrew me if I had call'd them again
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

And when unto York that I was come
ah wo is me, etc.
Each one on me did cast his doom
be warned
And whilst you live, this sentence note
Evil men can never have good report.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Before the Judges then I was brought
ah wo is me, etc.
But sure I had a careful thought
be warned
Ninescore Indictments and seventeen
Against me there were red and seen.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

And each of those were fellony found
ah wo is me, etc.
Which did my heart with sorrow wound
be warned
What should I herein longer stay
For this I was condemned that day.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

My Death each hour I did attand
ah wo is me, etc.
In prayers and tears my time I did spend
be warned
And all my loving friends that Day
I did intreat for me to pray.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

I have deserved Death long since
ah wo is me, etc.
A viler sinner lived not than I
be warned
On Friends I hoped life to save
But I am fitted for the grave.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Adieu my loving friends each one
ah woe is me, etc.
Think on me Lords when I am gone
be warned
When on the Ladder you do me view
Think I am neerer Heaven then you.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

FINIS.


L. Hutton.
London, Printed for J. Wright, J. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T. Passenger.

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