Now Gilderoy was a bonny boy and he would not soft ribbons wear.
He's taken off his scarlet coat, he gartered below his knee.
He was beloved by the young and the old, he was such a rakish boy;
He is my sovereign heart's delight, my handsome bold young Gilderoy.
Young Gilderoy and I was born all in one town together
And at the age of seventeen years we courted one each other.
Our dads and our mums they both did agree and crowned with mirth and joy
To think that I should marry with my handsome bold young Gilderoy.
Now Gilderoy and I walked out all in the fields together;
He took me round the waist so small and down we went together.
And when he had done all a man could do, he rose and kissed his joy,
He is my sovereign heart's delight, my handsome bold young Gilderoy.
What a pity 'tis a man should hang for stealing other women's gear
Or pilfering a sheep or calf, or stealing cow or mare
Had not our laws been made so strict I ne'er had lost my joy,
Who was my dearest heart's delight - my handsome bold young Gilderoy.
At Leith they took my Gilderoy, and there, oh Lord, they tried him,
To Edinburgh they took him then, and there, oh Lord, they hanged him;
They hanged him up above the rest, he was such a handsome boy,
My only love and heart's delight - my handsome bold young Gilderoy.
Now Gilderoy they've hung him high and a funeral for him we shall have;
With a sword and a pistol by my side I'll guard my true love to his grave.
For he was beloved by the young and the old and he was such a rakish boy,
He was my sovereign heart's delight, my handsome bold young Gilderoy.
credits
from 52 Folk Songs: Red,
released July 21, 2012
Phil Edwards: vocal and recorder
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