A melancholic song, seeking redemption for the past actions of wild living on the part of the main character. This is a beautiful rare tune inspired by the live recording on Warren Fahey's 2004 album, "A Panorama of Bush Songs" (www.warrenfahey.com).
lyrics
Oh, my father he died and he left me his estate,
I married a lady whose fortune was great.
Through keeping bad company I spent all me store,
Oh, I've been a wild boy, but I'll be so no more.
There was Tom, Bill and Harry, Betsy and Sue,
And two or three others belonged to the crew,
We'd stay out 'til midnight and make the town roar,
Oh, I've been a wild boy, but I'll be so no more.
I was always too fond of treating ladies to wine,
'Til my pockets grew empty - too soon, I would find,
Twenty pounds in one night, yes, I've spent that and more,
Oh, I've been a wild boy, but I'll be so no more.
Oh, it's first down to Newgate a prisoner I went.
I had on cold irons, I had to lament,
And I had to seek comfort on the the cold of the floor,
Oh, I've been a wild boy, but I'll be so no more.
Oh, it's next down to Newgate a prisoner I stand,
And what I have longed for is now out of hand,
And if I gain my liberty as I had before,
Oh, I'll be a good boy and go roaming no more.
Here's bad luck to all married men who visit strange doors.
I've done so myself, but I'll do so no more,
I'll go back to my family - back to me wife,
And I'll be a good boy all the days of my life.
credits
from To Lawsons Joy,
released January 26, 2014
Engineered by Bryce Moorhead.
Produced by Bryce Moorhead and Steve Towson.
Steve Towson (vocals, ukulele, keys), Ness Glenn (cello).
Profile photo by Staples. Banner art by TB (Mr. T + MC.T + WHO).
Track image J. R. Ashton (1881).