The One Armed Bandit

 Tom, Dick and Harry Were highwaymen so bold
Tom, Dick and Harry In Gloucestershire we’re told
They robbed the rich, they robbed the poor
Til Dick left his arm in the door,
Now they are gone forever more
Tom, Dick & Harry

Tom, Dick & Harry were highwaymen so bold
They robbed the rich in Gloucestershire in the days of old
They stopped the Oxford stagecoach and bagged a hundred pounds
Then on to Wychwood Forest from whence they’d not be found

Tom, Dick & Harry to Tangley Hall did ride
To gain admission fearless Dick he put his arm inside
The household having been informed lashed Dick’s arm to the door
So Harry hacked it with his sword now Dick he rides no more

Twas but a few days later, Dick died from wounds incurred
Tom and Harry they ensured his remains were well interred
But as they dug the shallow grave a labourer them he spied
His body now it lies with Dicks and they lie side by side

For many  years did Tom & Harry ply their awful trade
Then at Capps Lodge a fight broke out and they were both betrayed
The tapster, William Harding at Harry’s hands he died
And to the Gloucester Gaol the brothers  both were put inside

In seventeen hundred and eighty-four, twas at Gloucester Town
The wretched brothers met their end and as they were taken down
Harry called to brother Tom as he was to be hanged
“Tom you have but one good leg but, little time to stand.”

Tony Prior July 2003