The Dying Lamentation
Of Thomas Randal, who was
Executed at Stone-Bridge,
On Wednesday the 29th of January for the barbarous
Murder Committed on Roger Leavens, Ironmonger.
Who is Hang'd in Chains near Stone-Bridge.
To the Tune of. Johnsons Farewell.
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OH horred, borred is my Crime,
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For which I now must dye
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And to relate the bloody time,
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Of this barbarity,
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Would make a Heart of Stone to bleed,
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To think upon the Fact,
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I am asham'd to name indeed
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This bloody, bloody Act.
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'Twas at Stone-Bridge not far from Town
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Where I did lye in wait,
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To rob the very first that come,
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But oh unhappy fate,
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Instead of Robbing him of Pelf,
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With Pistol shot him dead,
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And likewise bound his Wife myself,
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Then straight from Justice fled.
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This wicked deed which I have done
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I do repent too late;
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My Glass of Life is almost run,
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Oh most unhappy Fate:
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I must be now this very day
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A sad Example made,
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I having wrought my Life's decay,
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Farewell this bloody Trade.
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Oh Leavens, Leavens whom I shot,
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And never bid you stand,
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I must confess hard was your Lott,
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Through my most bloody hand,
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I kill'd you dead without one word,
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So wicked was my mind,
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And God requires blood for blood,
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The Law's the same I find:
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How bitter is the thoughts of Death,
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Which stares with bloody Dart
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And gapeth for my latest breath,
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When Soul and Body part,
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But oh a greater grief then this
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Is Conscience does me tell,
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That blood hinders my Soul of bliss,
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No hopes for me but Hell.
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Oh Women, Women base and rude
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your bad Company,
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I follow'd none but what were lew'd
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And to them did comply,
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For when they did at any time
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Want Money for to rant,
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I stuck not then at any crime,
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For to supply their want.
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Pray you that see my fatal race,
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Let all your Ways be good,
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Nere be concern'd with Women base
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Nor yet delight in blood,
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For here a shameful Death you see
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I justly undergo,
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Then pray young Men be warn'd by me
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Be no Mans overthrow.
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The latter Minute is at hand,
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Farewell the World, and all
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Of you that now spectators stand,
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With Prayers allift, and call
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On Jesus Christ the Lamb of God,
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To interceed for me,
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That I may be cleans'd from this blood
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I shed so cruelly.
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