Ratcliffe Highway
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Lyrics
As I was walking through London
From Wapping to Radcliffe Highway
I chanced to go into a whorehouse
To spend a long night and a day
A young doxy came rolling up to me
And asked if I'd money to sport
And for some of her time changed a guinea
And she quickly replied, "That's the sort"
When the money was laid on the table
With a sleight of her hand, it was gone
When I asked for the change from that guinea
She tipped me a verse of her song
This lady flew into a passion
And placed both her hands on her hips
Saying, "Sailor, don't you know our fashion?
Do you think you're on one of your ships?"
I said, "Is this your fashion to rob me?
Such a fashion I'll never abide
So give me the change from my guinea
Or else I'll give you a broadside"
Then I put my own knife to her white throat
And for my change, her life I did take
And down the stairs I ran nimbly
Saying, "Damn my old boots, I'm well paid"
The night being dark in my favor
To the river I quickly did creep
And jumped in a boat bound for Deptford
And got safe aboard of my ship
And it seemed that the devil within me
Had opened the doorway to Hell
For the spirit of killing was in me
And the others didn't live long to tell
So come all you bold young sailors
That ramble down Radcliffe Highway
If by chance you go into a board house
Beware, lads, how long you do stay
For the wine and the women invite you
And your heart will be all in a rage
If you give them a guinea for a tumble
You can go to the devil for your change