The Life and Death of George of OXFORD
- Ballad Title
- The Life and Death of George of OXFORD
- Indicated Tune
- Poor Georgy
- Ballad Location
- Houghton Library - Huth, EBB65H; Pepys 2.150 (cf. Roxburghe 4.53, EBBA ID: 31352); EBBA 35226
- Event Date
- 1683
- Printing Location
- Printed for P. Brooksby in West-smithfield, at the Sign of the Golden Ball, near/ the Bear Tavern in Pye Corner.
- Crime
- theft
- Gender of Accused
- Male
- Method of Punishment
- hanging
- Category
- Crime and Punishment Ballads
- Sub-Category
-
Execution Ballads
- Transcription
-
A S I went over London Bridge all in a misty morning,
There did I see one weep and mourn, lamenting for her Georgy,
His time it is past, His life it will not last,
Alack and alas! there is no Remedy,
Which makes the heart within me Ready to burst in three
To think on the death of poor Goergy
George of Oxford is my name, and few there's but have known me,
Many a mad prank have I plaid but now they've overthrown me,
My time it is past, etc.
Oh! then bespake the Lady Gray, i'le haste me in the morning;
And to the Judge i'le make my way, to save the life of Georgy.
His time it is past,
His life else it may cost,
Alack and alas! is there no remedy? It makes the heart within me Ready to burst in three
To think on the death of poor Georgy.
Go Saddle me my milk-white Steed, go Saddle me my bonny,
That I may to New-Castle speed, to save the life of Georgy.
His time it is past, etc.
But when she came the Judge before full low her knee she bended,
For Georgy' s life she did implore, that she might be befriended.
His time may be past, His life else it may cost,
Alack and alas! is there no Remedy?
It makes the heart within me Ready to burst in three
To think on the death of poor Georgy
Oh rise, ah rise, fair Lady Gray, your suit cannot be granted;
Content pour self, as well you may, for Georgy must be hanged.
His time it is past etc.
She wept she waild she rung her hands and ceased not her mourning;
She offer'd Gold she offer'd Lands, to save the life of Georgy.
His time it is past. etc.
George's Confession.
I Have travell'd through the Land, and met with many a man, Sir;
But Knight or Lord I bid him stand he durst not make an answer.
But my thread it is spun,
My glass is almost run,
Alack and alas! there is no remedy; Which makes my heart within me Ready to burst in three
To die like a Dog, (says poor Georgy )
The Brittain bold that durst deny his mony for to tender,
Th'o he were stout as valiant Guy I forc'd him to surrender.
But now my thread is spun, etc.
But when the mony I had got,
and made him cry pecavi,
To bear his charge and pay his shot a Mark or Noble gave I.
But my thred it is spun, etc.
The Ladies when they had me seen would ne'r have been affrighted
To take a dance upon the Green with Georgy they delighted.
But now my thred it is spun, etc.
When I had ended this our wake and fairly them bespoken,
Their rings and jewels would I take to keep for a Token.
But now my thread is spun, etc.
The hue and cry for George is set, a proper handsome fellow,
With Diamond-Eyes as black as jet, and Locks like Gold so yellow.
His time is past, etc.
Long it was with all their art, e're they could apprehend him,
But at the last his valiant heart no longer could defend him.
His time it was past, etc.
I ne'r stole Horse nor Mare in my life nor Cloven-foot or any,
But once six of the kings white steeds and I sold them to Bohemia.
His time it was past, etc.
Georgy he went up the hill, and after followed many,
Georgy was hanged in silken string, the like was never any.
His time it was past,
His life will not last,
Alack and alas! there is no remedy, etc.
