Turpin Hero
from Leaf On a Windy Day by Kevin Adams with Dave Makins
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about
This version, one of many ballads written about the highwayman, was collected by Fred Hamer from Billy Bartle in Bedfordshire and published in his 'Garners Gay' collection. Billy sang it in 4/4 time; I put it into this gallopy 6/8.
Richard Turpin (1705-1739) was a low-life thief and murderer whose reputation was upgraded to that of a dashing, romantic hero by various hacks after his death. He was no Robin Hood- he stole from anyone and kept it for himself. But never, as they say, let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Hamer reports that Billy Bartle spoke of Turpin as someone who had ridden that way in the very recent past. He pointed to a gap in the wall near the Old Great North Road where Turpin had taken Black Bess on his famous (but entirely fictitious!) ride to York.
Richard Turpin (1705-1739) was a low-life thief and murderer whose reputation was upgraded to that of a dashing, romantic hero by various hacks after his death. He was no Robin Hood- he stole from anyone and kept it for himself. But never, as they say, let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Hamer reports that Billy Bartle spoke of Turpin as someone who had ridden that way in the very recent past. He pointed to a gap in the wall near the Old Great North Road where Turpin had taken Black Bess on his famous (but entirely fictitious!) ride to York.
lyrics
Turpin Hero
Turpin he was riding across Ramsey Moor,
Saw a lawyer a-riding before,
He says Old gentleman don't you feel afraid.
For to meet bold Turpin, the mischievious blade?
With my hero, Turpin was a hero
He was a valious Turpin-O.
Said Turpin to the lawyer, Let us be so 'cute,
And put our money into our boot,
Oh no, said the lawyer, I've made sure of mine,
For I've got it sewn up in my coat cape behind.
So they rode till they came to the foot of the hill,
Said Turpin to the lawyer, You must stand still,
For my horse is in want of a new saddle cloth,
And I very much do fear that your coat cape must come off
And when I have robbed you of all of your store
You know well where you can get more,
And at every town that you do come in,
You can tell them you've been robbéd by the bold Turpin.
Turpin he was tried, in prison he was cast
For shooting a gamecock hung at last,
Five hundred pounds that he had laid by
For to pay Jack Ketch his salary so high.
Turpin he was riding across Ramsey Moor,
Saw a lawyer a-riding before,
He says Old gentleman don't you feel afraid.
For to meet bold Turpin, the mischievious blade?
With my hero, Turpin was a hero
He was a valious Turpin-O.
Said Turpin to the lawyer, Let us be so 'cute,
And put our money into our boot,
Oh no, said the lawyer, I've made sure of mine,
For I've got it sewn up in my coat cape behind.
So they rode till they came to the foot of the hill,
Said Turpin to the lawyer, You must stand still,
For my horse is in want of a new saddle cloth,
And I very much do fear that your coat cape must come off
And when I have robbed you of all of your store
You know well where you can get more,
And at every town that you do come in,
You can tell them you've been robbéd by the bold Turpin.
Turpin he was tried, in prison he was cast
For shooting a gamecock hung at last,
Five hundred pounds that he had laid by
For to pay Jack Ketch his salary so high.
credits
from Leaf On a Windy Day,
released January 2, 2019
Trad, arr. K Adams
KA Vocals, mandola
Dave Makins: piano, bass, percussion.
Trad, arr. K Adams
KA Vocals, mandola
Dave Makins: piano, bass, percussion.
license
all rights reserved
tags
about
Kevin Adams Milton Keynes, UK
Blending traditional folk music with a love of other genres- classical, jazz, folk-rock, prog-rock, pop… music, music, music…
discography
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Jun 2020 -
Jul 2018 -
Sep 2015 -
Jan 2019 -
Jun 2006 -
Jun 2017 -
Dec 2016 -
Jun 2002
contact / help
Kevin Adams recommends:
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My collaborator Dave Makins - check him out.
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