Cat. #1423 (MFH #542) - As sung by Jerry Grimer, Osceola, Arkansas on January 19, 1967
VERSE 1
Well, I'm a rake an' a ramblin' boy
An' many's th city I did enjoy
An' I got myself a pretty little wife
An' I love her better than I love my life
VERSE 2
Well, she was pretty, both neat an' gay
Caused me to rob th broad highway
O, yes I robbed it an' I do declare
I got myself ten thousand there
VERSE 3
O, many's th darkness, for t' carry me thru
My pistols, sword, money too
A forty-four it always ---
An' my true love to go my bail
VERSE 4
My Mother said, she had no home
My Sister siad, she's all alone
My --- wife in undespair
A broken heart an' a baby there
VERSE 5
Well, when I die don't bury me at all
Put my bones in alkyhol
Forty-four, lay at my feet
Tell th world, I'm jest asleep
VERSE 6
Well, I'm a rake an' a ramblin' boy
An' many's th city I did enjoy
An' I got myself a pretty little wife
An' I love her better than I love my life