The Sheffield Apprentice Lyrics
I was brought up in Cornwall, all in a high degree
My parents they adored me, had no child, only me
I ripped, I roved, I rambled whereʼer my fancies led
ʼtil I became apprenticed, and then my joys they fled
The man that I was bound to, he did not use me well
I formed a resolution—with him not long to dwell
Unbeknown to my poor parents from him I ran away
I steered my course to London, and cursed be the day
There were a lady in London, she chanced to spy me there
She offered me great payments to dwell with her one year
With her kind words and promises, with her I did agree
To go with her to London and stay with her one year
I hadnʼt been in London but six months and a day
When my foolish mistress grew very fond of me
Her gold and silver, her houses and her land
If Iʼd consent to marry her, would be at my command
Oh no, my honoured mistress, I cannot marry you
For I have made a promise, likewise a solemn vow
To wed no one but Betsy, my beauteous honoured maid
Pray excuse me, honoured mistress, she has my heart betrayed
One morning as I walked out to take the pleasant air
My mistress followed after me to view the lilies fair
Gold rings come off her fingers as she did pass me by
She slipped them in my pocket, and for them I must die
The sheriff come and taken me, it was useless to say
He took me up to justice, tried me before the mayor
He took me up to justice and to the gallows tree
Oh lord, reward my mistress, she surely has wronged me
People all come flocking in to see me in my life
Likewise fair pretty Betsy, my own intended wife
Farewell to sin and sorrow, I’ll bid you all adieu
Likewise fair pretty Betsy; I’ll die for loving you