Chords with lyrics
Tuning: Standard (E MajorE A augmentedA D MajorD G+G BB E MajorE)
Difficulty: Novice
Intro:
C majorC G+G C majorC G+G
Verse:
C majorC
As I rode out one summer's day, for profit and for pleasure
G+G
I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my leisure
C majorC
A augmentedA brace of pistols duly primed, a sabre fit to shave on
G+G
I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of Avon
Verse:
C majorC
I didn't hear her dainty step, as she appeared before me
G+G
A augmentedA face to charm a singing bird, with words that did implore me
C majorC
"Can you help me sir?" she said, "I fear the time is near run
G+G
For me to cross before the tide swells the banks of Avon"
Chorus:
C majorC FF
All you roving fellows, listen while you can
C majorC FF
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
C majorC FF
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can
C majorC FF
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
Verse:
C majorC
So gallantly I did dismount and walked into the water
G+G
As she told me that she was a wealthy merchant's daughter
C majorC
So I thought I'd try my luck and do my best to charm her
G+G
Said I was the only son of a country farmer
Verse:
C majorC
"Your hands they are as smooth as silk, they never touched a plough, sir
G+G
I suppose those pistols help you milking of your cows"
C majorC
She looked at me with mocking eyes, as coal-black as a raven
G+G
And then she fell into my arms beside the banks of Avon
Chorus:
C majorC FF
All you roving fellows, listen while you can
C majorC FF
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
C majorC FF
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can
C majorC FF
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
Instrumental:
FF A minorAm D MajorD A minorAm G+G
Verse:
C majorC
Her honeyed lips, I was beguiled, a lamb led to the slaughter
G+G
Eventually I fell asleep in the arms of the merchant's daughter
C majorC
When I awoke I was alone, my clothes and pistols taken
G+G
With just the leaves to hide my shame beside the banks of Avon
Verse:
C majorC
In vain I tried to catch a glimpse of the city spires
G+G
Running like a rabbit through the bushes and the briars
C majorC
Then I heard the London coach and I was all a-shiver
G+G
A augmentedA lady's voice was calling out, "Stand-to and deliver!"
Chorus:
C majorC FF
All you roving fellows, listen while you can
C majorC FF
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
C majorC FF
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can
C majorC FF
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
Verse:
C majorC
"Your money or your life I'll have, it's all the same to me
G+G
It's hanged for a sheep or murder in the first degree"
C majorC
She stood there in my overcoat, brandishing my pistol
G+G
And relieved the London coach of the gold of Bristol
Verse:
C majorC
And she's up and mounted on my horse and rode into the distance
G+G
And I went naked to the coach begging for assistance
C majorC
No more I'll play the highwaymen, nor more I'll put the mask on
G+G
I'll leave it to the bright-eyed girl who roams the banks of Avon
Chorus:
C majorC FF
All you roving fellows, listen while you can
C majorC FF
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
C majorC FF
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can
C majorC FF
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
Instrumental:
FF A minorAm D MajorD A minorAm G+G
Verse:
C majorC
As I rode out one summer's day, for profit and for pleasure
G+G
I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my leisure
C majorC
A augmentedA brace of pistols duly primed, a sabre fit to shave on
G+G
I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of Avon
Outro:
G+G