The Sheffield Apprentice

1. I was brought up in Sheffield,
But not of high degree;
My parents doted on me,
They had no child but me;
I roamed about for pleasure,
Where’er my fancy led,
Till I was bound apprentice,
Then all my joys were fled.

2. I did not like my master,
He did not use me well,
I made a resolution
Not long with him to dwell.
A wealthy rich young lady
From London met me there,
And offered me great wages
To serve her for a year.

3. I had not been in London
Scarce one month, two or three,
Before my honoured mistress
Grew very fond of me,
She said “I’ve gold, I’ve silver,
I’ve houses and I’ve land,
If you will marry me
They shall be at your command.”

4. “0 no, dear honoured mistress
I cannot wed you now,
For I have lately promised
Likewise a solemn vow,
To wed with dearest Polly
Your handsome chambermaid,
Excuse me honoured mistress,
She has my heart betrayed!”

5. She flew into a passion
And turned away from me,
Resolved within herself
She would be revenged on me;
Her gold ring from her finger,
As she was passing by,
She slipped it in my pocket,
And for it I must die.

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6. For that before the justice,
The justice I was brought,
And there before the justice
I answered for my fault;
Long time I pleaded innocent
But that was all in vain,
She swore so false against me
That I was sent to gaol.

7. On the day of execution,
All on that fatal day,
I prayed the people round me
“0 pray come pity me.
Don’t laugh at my downfall,
For I bid this world adieu;
Farewell my dearest Polly,
I died for love of you!”