In Newry town, I was bred and born
In Stephen's Green now I lie in scorn
I served my time to the saddling trade
But I turned out to be, yes I turned out to be a roving blade

At seventeen I took a wife
I loved her dearly as I loved my wife
And to maintain her both fine and gay
I took to robbing, I took to robbing on the King's Highway

I never robbed any poor man yet
Nor any tradesman did I beset
I robbed the lords and the ladies bright
And robbed their jewels, and robbed their jewels for my heart's delight

I robbed Lord Golding, I do declare
And Lady Mansell on Grosvenor Square
I shook the shutters and bid them goodnight
And home I went then, and home I went then to my heart's delight

To Covent Garden I made my way
With my dear wife for to see the play
Lord Fielding's gang, they did me pursue
And I was taken, and I was taken by that cursed crew

My father cried "Oh, my darling son"
My wife she wept and cried "I am undone"
My mother tore her white locks and cried
Saying "In the cradle," saying "In the cradle Willie should have died"

And when I'm dead, aye and in my grave
A flashy funeral pray let me have
With six bold highwaymen to carry me
Give them good broadswords, give them good broadswords and sweet liberty

Six pretty maidens to bear my corpse
Give them white garlands and ribbons all
And when I'm dead, they will speak the truth
He was a wild and, he was a wild and a wicked youth