Ratcliffe Highway (Lyrics)

(I am unsure as to who penned this song, but certainly it is a tune with eerie undertones. Ratcliffe Highway is famous for the "Ratcliffe Highway" murders in 1811, and was infamous for robbery and muggings. Today, it is called simply, "The Highway". In the picture is a very young Ronnie Drew, devoid of his trademark beard. Enjoy!)

As I went a-walking down London,
From Wapping to Ratcliffe Highway,
I chanced to go into an ale-house
To spend a long night and a day.

A young droxy came rolling up to me,
And asked if I'd money to sport.
For a bottle of wine changed a guinea,
And quickly replied: "That's the sort."

When the bottle was put on the table,
There was glasses for everyone.
When I asked for the change of me guinea,
She tipped me the verse of her song.

This lady flew into a passion,
And she placed both her hands on her hip,
Saying: "Sailor, don't you know our fashion?
Do you think you're on board of your ship?"

"If this is your fashion to rob me,
It's a fashion I won't abide.
So launch out the change of my guinea,
Or else I'll give you a broadside."

A gold watch hung over the mantel,
So the change of me guinea I take,
And it's down the old stairs I run nimbly,
Saying: "Darn my aul boots, I'm well paid."

The night being dark in me favour,
To the river I quickly did creep,
I got on a boat bound for Deptford,
And I got safe on board of me ship.

So come all of you young sailors,
That ramble down Ratcliffe Highway,
If you chance to go into an ale-house
Becareful how long, lads, you stay.

For the wines and the women invite you,
And your heart will be all in a rage;
If you give them a guinea for a bottle,
You can go to the divil for change!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• the
• highway
• ratcliffe
• murders
• history
• classics
• oldies
• ronnie
• drew
• dubliners
• banjo
• folk
• irish
• ireland
• dublin
• london

[rojblake82]

Ace song in billions of ways, I remember it from when I was 10.