Horrible Histories - Dick Turpin Lyrics
Everyone thinks they know the storyOf Dick Turpin's highway gloryBut my past is far more goryI was no saintYou think life is one big anticMy profession is romanticHate to be pedanticBut it ain'tAs a butcher down in EssexI was handy with a knifeHad a sideline as a poacherLed a less than honest lifeThe notorious gang of GregoryLiked my style and dedicationThey signed me up and gave meA real robber's educationWe rampaged through the Essex farmsWe stole and robbed and foughtBut when the law came for usI escaped and they got caughtI became a highwaymanWas daylight robberyI was no prince charmingNothing dandy about meThe truth is, I was violentAnd with my good mate, Matt KingRobbed travellers at gunpointMoney, watches, anything! My horse it wasn't called Black BessAlthough that's what you've readWas no romantic heroShot not one but two men deadThe legend that surrounds meMisses out the crucial partI was a ruthless killerWith a ruthless killer's heartWas a vicious highwaymanA source of pain and tearsWhen you hear how my story endsYou won't believe your earsI ran away to YorkshireChanged my name to John PalmerWas sent to prisonAfter stealing chickens from a farmerWrote a letter to my familyA plea it did relateThe postman saw the envelopeAnd here's the twist of fateHe had taught me how to writeSo he knew I'd lied'That's not John Palmer's handThat's Dick Turpin's! ' he cried! Was a vicious highwaymanMy crimes had brought me fame Was stitched up by a postieThat's not glamourous... that's lame! No more stand and deliverYou'll remember this, I hopeIt's no fun hanging with highwaymenWhen you're... hanging from a rope!
