The Naked Highwayman

C     G    C     G

[Verse]
   C
As I rode out one summer's day, for profit and for pleasure
                                                    G
I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my leisure
  C
A brace of pistols duly primed, a sabre fit to shave on
                                                      G
I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of Avon

[Verse]
  C
I didn't hear her dainty step, as she appeared before me
                                                      G
A face to charm a singing bird, with words that did implore me
 C
"Can you help me sir?" she said, "I fear the time is near run
                                                    G
For me to cross before the tide swells the banks of Avon"

[Chorus]
C                                        F
All you roving fellows, listen while you can
C                                        F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
     C                                        F
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can
C                                        F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

[Verse]
   C
So gallantly I did dismount and walked into the water
                                                 G
As she told me that she was a wealthy merchant's daughter
C
So I thought I'd try my luck and do my best to charm her
                                     G
Said I was the only son of a country farmer

[Verse]
      C
"Your hands they are as smooth as silk, they never touched a plough, sir
                                                 G
I suppose those pistols help you milking of your cows"
    C
She looked at me with mocking eyes, as coal-black as a raven
                                                   G
And then she fell into my arms beside the banks of Avon

[Chorus]
C                                        F
All you roving fellows, listen while you can
C                                        F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
     C                                        F
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can
C                                        F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

[Instrumental]
F    Am    D    Am    G

[Verse]
    C
Her honeyed lips, I was beguiled, a lamb led to the slaughter
                                                       G
Eventually I fell asleep in the arms of the merchant's daughter
     C
When I awoke I was alone, my clothes and pistols taken
                                                          G
With just the leaves to hide my shame beside the banks of Avon

[Verse]
   C
In vain I tried to catch a glimpse of the city spires
                                                 G
Running like a rabbit through the bushes and the briars
C
Then I heard the London coach and I was all a-shiver
                                                G
A lady's voice was calling out, "Stand-to and deliver!"

[Chorus]
C                                        F
All you roving fellows, listen while you can
C                                        F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
     C                                        F
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can
C                                        F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

[Verse]
      C
"Your money or your life I'll have, it's all the same to me
                                                 G
It's hanged for a sheep or murder in the first degree"
    C
She stood there in my overcoat, brandishing my pistol
                                             G
And relieved the London coach of the gold of Bristol

[Verse]
          C
And she's up and mounted on my horse and rode into the distance
                                            G
And I went naked to the coach begging for assistance
   C
No more I'll play the highwaymen, nor more I'll put the mask on
                                                             G
I'll leave it to the bright-eyed girl who roams the banks of Avon

[Chorus]
C                                        F
All you roving fellows, listen while you can
C                                        F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
     C                                        F
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can
C                                        F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

[Instrumental]
F    Am    D    Am    G

[Verse]
   C
As I rode out one summer's day, for profit and for pleasure
                                                    G
I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my leisure
  C
A brace of pistols duly primed, a sabre fit to shave on
                                                      G
I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of Avon