THE ESCAPE OF OLD JOHN WEBB



There were nine to guard the British ranks,

And five to guard the town about

And two to stand at either hand

And one to let old Tenor out.

There was eighty weight of good Spanish iron

Between his neckbone and his knee

But Billy took Johnny under his arm

And lugged him away right artfully.



cho: And Billy broke locks and Billy broke bolts

And Billy broke all that he came nigh,

Until he came to the dungeon door

And that he broke right manfully.



They mounted their horse and away did ride

(And who but they rode gallantly)

Until they came to the river bank

And there they alighted most merrily.

And then they called for a room to dance

(And who but they danced merrily)

And the best dancer among them all

Was old John Webb, who was just set free.



Recorded by Burl Ives.

Note: According to Ives, this is part of a 20-verse broadside

about a jailbreak in Salem, Mass. in 1730. If true, someone

co-opted a 16th Century Scottish border ballad, and made it

fit. RG

Child #187 and/or

Child #188

@America @jail @outlaw @escape @ballad

filename[ JOHNWEBB

play.exe JOHNWEBB

RG

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