The Naked Highwayman by Fairport Convention, tabs and chords at PlayUkuleleNET

The Naked Highwayman

Biography:

Fairport Convention is often credited with being one of the first English folk rock bands. Formed in 1967, Fairport rapidly developed from playing cover versions of American 'west coast' music to an individual style which melded rock music with traditional English folk tunes and songs.

Like their peers The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and Jefferson Airplane they were blessed with several considerable individual talents and produced music that -at least initially- was eclectic, as well as exploratory.

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Four years of hard work!

This month of May we celebrated four years on the air. We continue working on the dissemination of this wonderful instrument, thank you for participating in our story!

[Intro]
C G C G

[Verse]
C
As I rode out one summer's day, for profit and for pleasure
G
I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my leisure
C
A brace of pistols duly primed, a sabre fit to shave on
G
I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of Avon

[Verse]
C
I didn't hear her dainty step, as she appeared before me
G
A face to charm a singing bird, with words that did implore me
C
"Can you help me sir?" she said, "I fear the time is near run
G
For me to cross before the tide swells the banks of Avon"

[Chorus]
C F
All you roving fellows, listen while you can
C F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
C F
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can
C F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

[Verse]
C
So gallantly I did dismount and walked into the water
G
As she told me that she was a wealthy merchant's daughter
C
So I thought I'd try my luck and do my best to charm her
G
Said I was the only son of a country farmer

[Verse]
C
"Your hands they are as smooth as silk, they never touched a plough, sir
G
I suppose those pistols help you milking of your cows"
C
She looked at me with mocking eyes, as coal-black as a raven
G
And then she fell into my arms beside the banks of Avon

[Chorus]
C F
All you roving fellows, listen while you can
C F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
C F
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can
C F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

[Instrumental]
F Am D Am G

[Verse]
C
Her honeyed lips, I was beguiled, a lamb led to the slaughter
G
Eventually I fell asleep in the arms of the merchant's daughter
C
When I awoke I was alone, my clothes and pistols taken
G
With just the leaves to hide my shame beside the banks of Avon

[Verse]
C
In vain I tried to catch a glimpse of the city spires
G
Running like a rabbit through the bushes and the briars
C
Then I heard the London coach and I was all a-shiver
G
A lady's voice was calling out, "Stand-to and deliver!"

[Chorus]
C F
All you roving fellows, listen while you can
C F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
C F
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can
C F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

[Verse]
C
"Your money or your life I'll have, it's all the same to me
G
It's hanged for a sheep or murder in the first degree"
C
She stood there in my overcoat, brandishing my pistol
G
And relieved the London coach of the gold of Bristol

[Verse]
C
And she's up and mounted on my horse and rode into the distance
G
And I went naked to the coach begging for assistance
C
No more I'll play the highwaymen, nor more I'll put the mask on
G
I'll leave it to the bright-eyed girl who roams the banks of Avon

[Chorus]
C F
All you roving fellows, listen while you can
C F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman
C F
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can
C F
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman

[Instrumental]
F Am D Am G

[Verse]
C
As I rode out one summer's day, for profit and for pleasure
G
I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my leisure
C
A brace of pistols duly primed, a sabre fit to shave on
G
I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of Avon

[Outro]
G