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William Grismond (i)

William Grismond committed murder on 12th March 1650,
at Lainterdine, Hereford, England.
Words: collated from various collections, England.
Tune: collected early this century.


    O come you wilful young men and hear what I shall tell,
    My name is William Grismond, at Lainterdine did dwell,
    O there I did a murder as it is known full well,

    Chorus:
         And for my offence I shall die, I shall die,
         And for my offence I shall do.


    There was a neighbour's daughter that lived me hard by;
    Whom I had promised marriage and with her I did lie
    I did dissemble with her, my lust to satisfy,

    Chorus:
         And for my offence I shall die, I shall die,
         And for my offence I shall do.


    I had my pleasure on her, I had my lewd desire,
    The using of her body was that I did require,
    I was o'ercome and snared by him that is a liar

    Chorus:
         And for my offence I shall die, I shall die,
         And for my offence I shall do.


    She claimed of me marriage and said she was with child,
    Saying, Marry me sweet William, now you have me defiled,
    If you do now forsake me, I utterly am spoiled,

    Chorus:
         And for my offence I shall die, I shall die,
         And for my offence I shall do.


    In flattering sort I brought her into the field of broom,
    And when we both together into the field were come
    I had my pleasure with her, and then I was her doom,

    Chorus:
         And for my offence I shall die, I shall die,
         And for my offence I shall do.


    Then in the broom I killed her with my accursed knife,
    There hatefully I killed her, who loved me as her life,
    I cut her throat, I killed her who should have been my wife,

    Chorus:
         And for my offence I shall die, I shall die,
         And for my offence I shall do.


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