I am a valliant highway man, called Valentine O'Hara
I come of poor but honest folk nigh to the Hills of Tara
For getting of a maid with child, to England I sailed over
I left my parents and became a wild and daring rover
Well straight to London I did go where I became a soldier
Resolved to fight Britannia's foes; no champion could be bolder
They sent me to a foreign land where the cannon loud did rattle
And believe me, boys, I do not boast how I behaved in battle
Well many's the battle I have seen, in Holland and French Flanders
I always fought with courage keen, led on by brave commanders
But a cruel ensign found me out and I was flogged and carted
Cruel the usage they gave me, and so I soon deserted
And straight to England I did sail as fast as wind could drive me
Resolved that of my liberty no man should e'er deprive me
I slept out in the fields at night, by all my friends forsaken
I dared not walk the roads by day for fear I should be taken
But I being of a courage keen and likewise able bodied
I robbed Lord Nelson on the King's Highway with my pistols heavy loaded
I placed my pistols to his breast which caused his heart to quiver
Five hundred pound in ready gold to me he did deliver
With part of my new store of gold I bought a famous gelding
That could leap o'er a five-bar gate, I bought it from Ned Fielding
Lord Arkinstone in his fine coach I robbed at Covent Garden
And two hours later that same night I robbed the Earl of Warren
At Turnham Green I next did rob a revenue collector
And what I took from him I gave to a widow to protect her
I always robbed the rich and great, to rob the poor I scorned
And now in iron chains I'm bound and do I now lie borned
It's straight in Newgate I have come and by the law convicted
To hang upon the Tyburn tree of which I'm much affrighted
Farewell, my friends and comrades all and my native Hills of Tara
Kind providence may test the soul of Valentine O'Hara