Young Butcher Boy Collected by Bob Copper in about 1954 from George Fosbury of Axford, Hampshire: see Chapter Fourteen, pp. 114-122, of Songs and Southern Breezes for the details; and the appendix for these words.
'Twas of a brave young butcher boy,
As I have heard them say,
He started out of London town,
All on one certain day.As he was riding along the road
As fast as he could ride,
Young Johnny got off his horse
For he heard some woman cry.Young Johnny being a whole man
A man of courage bold,
He pulled his coat all off his back
For to keep her from the cold.Young Johnny put his fingers up to his mouth,
He blew both loud and shrill,
Then up stepped six young highwaymen,
With their swords already drew.Young Johnny he shot three of them
And slain them to the ground
And whilst he was slaying of the other two
She gave him his death wound.O, wicked woman you shall be hung
On the gallows so high and strong,
For murdering that brave butcher boy
That ever the sun shone on.
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