A beautiful fair maid in London did dwell
For wit and for beauty none could her excell
For the keeping of her home for seven long years
And what followed after you soon shall hear

She's ta'en her box upon her head and carried it along
The first that she met was a stout and able man
He says, "My pretty fair maid, where are you going this way?
Oh I'll show you the nigh road accross the country"

He took her by the hand and he led her to a glen
Now my pretty fair maid, I mean to tell you plain
Deliver up your money without work or strife
Or this very moment I will take away your life

This pretty fair maid fell a-trembling with fear
Not knowing where to run or how to get clear
But as he was a-fumbling a-feeling for his knife
This pretty fair maid she took away his life

She's ta'en her box upon her head and carried it along
The next that she met was a noble gentleman
He says, "My pretty fair maid, where are you going so late
Or what was the noise I heard at yonder gate?"

She took him by the hand and she led him to the place
Where the stout and able fellow lay bleeding on his face
He tried for to rob me, but I soon let him know
That feeling for his pocket knife did prove his overthrow

They riped his pockets to see what he had got
They found some loaded pistols, some powder and some shot
They got four loaded pistols, some powder and some balls
And a whistle to put to his mouth the robbers for to call

He put the whistle to his mouth, he blew it load and shrill
And four gallant horsemen came riding o'er the hill
This gentleman shot one of them, and that was speedily
And this pretty fair maid she shot the other three

Now my pretty fair maid, for what you have done
I'll make you my bride, love, and that before it's long
I'll make you my bride love and that before it's long
For the acting of your part and the firing of your gun