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