The singer tell the story of meeting a friend on his death bed. The friend contracted an STD, but was unaware until it was too late. He then asks the narrator character to hold a funeral for him.
The song also goes by the name “Unfortunate Lad”.
It’s featured in the TV series “Deadwood”, where it’s...
As I was a walking down by Saint James's Hospital
I was a walking down by there one day
What should I spy but one of my comrades
All wrapped in flannel, oh warm was the day
I asked him what ailed him, I asked him what failed him
I asked him then cause of all his complaint
It's all on account of some handsome young women
Tis' she that has caused me to weep and lament
And had she but told me before she disordered me
Had she but told me of it in time
I might have got pills and salts of white mercury
But now I'm cut down in the height of my prime
Get six young soldiers to carry my coffin
Six young girls to sing mе a song
And each of them carry a bunch of green laurel
So thеy don't smell me as they bear me along
Don't muffle your drums and play your pipes merrily
Play a quick march as you carry me along
And fire your bright muskets all over my coffin
Sayin' there goes an unfortunate lad to his home
The Unfortunate Rake was produced by Kenneth S. Goldstein.