Hirem Pawnitof / Fairies' Hornpipe Lyrics - Incredible String Band

It's of a famous highwayman a story I will tell 

His name was Hirem Pawnitof, in bread street he did dwell 

Through all the storms of his career few troubles he had missed 

His tale was wrote from ear to ear, and he looked like this: 

Throughout the land his gallant band in many a song did star 

With Biceps dead, and Pretty Boy fled, and Boothill claimed Bill Star 

Though the best are gone, he still rides from Leeds to Carter Bar 

Weedy and few his motley crew 

And here they are: 

His purse was lined with empty air, his wherewithall was low 

The last good swag to pad his lag was 40 years ago 

His motley band were out of hand, their breakfast they had missed 

Then travellers two hove into view 

And he challenged them like this. 

The stranger turned to his lady fair 

A smile played on his lips 

What's the deal, are they for real 

they've been taking too many trips 

No gold need we, we travel free, here's something we won't miss 

A treasure map from Gabby the Flap 

And he gave it him like this: 

His glasses perched upon his nose the map he carefully sussed 

Each robber's eye filled with surprise, there's gold in it for us 

The strangers waved the band goodbye but they did not see them go 

Hirem got his compass out, said follow me lads, Westard Ho 

Then had not gone but 20 yards when a pieman they did spy 

They smacked their lips with hunger keen - my kingdom for a pie 

The peddlar twinkled once or twice 

Not one word did he say 

With snake-like eyes he shouted 'pie' 

and he struck him on the head with the tray 

At that moment Hirem Pawnitof attained enlightenment. 

Come on said Hirem laughing much 

Let's see what's down this road 

His troop were dropping, wearily stooping 

men of no fixed a bode 

Just then a milkmaid Hirem spied 

their hearts were filled with bliss 

Like long lost friends who meet again 

they fondly kissed like this 

I need a man around the place 

the milkmaid breathed with charm 

And Hirem twirled his long mustache and took her by the arm 

The last we heard they all lived there 

doing what the law allows 

They all ate breakfast every day, happily growing cows.