Flash Lad

1. Adieu, adieu, I must meet my fate,
I was brought up in a tender state,
Until bad counsel did me entice,
To leave off work and to follow vice.
Which makes me now lament and say,
As in the dismal cell I lay,
Pity the fall of young fellows all.
0 well-a-day! 0 well-a-day!

2. At cups and cans I took great delight,
Singing in alehouses day and night;
A pretty girl was my chiefest joy,
I took delight as a roving boy,
Which makes me now lament and say,
As in the dismal cell I lay,
Pity the fall of young fellows all.
0 well-a-day! 0 well-a-day!

3. At seventeen I took a wife,
I lov’d her dearly as my life,
And to maintain her fine and gay,
I went to rob on the highway.
Which makes me now lament and say,
As in the dismal cell I lay,
Pity the fall of young fellows all.
0 well-a-day! 0 well-a-day!

4. My father and my mother too
Told me such ways would never do,
But I never minded what they did say,
But took my horse and rode away.
Which makes me now lament and say,
As in the dismal cell I lay,
Pity the fall of young fellows all.
0 well-a-day! 0 well-a-day!

5. There’s you and I and Jack Douglas both,
We were all sworn in solemn oath,
To go and rob on the highway,
The first we met was to be our prey.
Which makes me now lament and say,
As in the dismal cell I lay,
Pity the fall of young fellows all.
0 well-a-day! 0 well-a-day!

6. When mounted on a milk-white steed,
I thought myself a flash lad indeed,
With my cock’d pistol and broad sword,
‘Stand and deliver’ was my word.
Which makes me now lament and say,
As in the dismal cell I lay,
Pity the fall of young fellows all.
0 well-a-day! 0 well-a-day!

7. The first we met was a gentleman:
We rode up to him and bid him stand;
In spite of all that he could do,
We robb’d him and kill’d him too.
Which makes me now lament and say,
As in the dismal cell I lay,
Pity the fall of young fellows all.
0 well-a-day! 0 well-a-day!

8. In bonds and chains I was quickly tied,
Before the Judge for my life was tried,
I ne’er went robbing for any clothes,
I hate such trifling things as those.
Which makes me now lament and say,
As in the dismal cell I lay,
Pity the fall of young fellows all.
0 well-a-day! 0 well-a-day!

9. I robbed for gold and silver bright,
For to maintain my heart’s delight,
When you hear my death-bell toll,
Pray God for mercy on my soul.
Which makes me now lament and say,
As in the dismal cell I lay,
Pity the fall of young fellows all.
0 well-a-day! 0 well-a-day!

10. Let six young women bear up my pall,
Give them white gowns and ribbons all,
That they may say and speak the truth,
‘There goes a wild and abandoned youth.’
Which makes me now lament and say,
As in the dismal cell I lay,
Pity the fall of young fellows all.
0 well-a-day! 0 well-a-day!

11. Let six highwaymen follow my pall,
Give them cock’d pistols, powder, ball,
That they may fire over my grave,
And say ‘Take warning you young men all,’
Which makes me now lament and say,
As in the dismal cell I lay,
Pity the fall of young fellows all.
0 well-a-day! 0 well-a-day!