Am G F
C F Am ( Am G F )

[Verse 1]
C
As a butcher down in Essex
F
I was handy with a knife
Am
Had a sideline as a poacher
Am
Led a less than honest life
C
The notorious gang of Gregory
F
Liked my style and dedication
Am
They signed me up and gave me
Am
A real robber's education

[Pre-chorus]
Em
We rampaged through the Essex farms
F
We stole and robbed and fought
Am
But when the law came for us
G
I escaped and they got caught

[Chorus]
C          F
I became a highwayman
Am                    Am G F
Was daylight robbery
C               F
I was no prince charming
Am                    Am G F
Nothing dandy about me

[Verse 2]
C
The truth is, I was violent
F
And with my good mate, Matt King
Am
Robbed travellers at gunpoint
Am
Money, watches, anything!
C
My horse it wasn't called Black Bess
F
Although that's what you've read
Am
Was no romantic hero
Am
Shot not one, but two men dead

[Pre-chorus]
Em
The legend that surrounds me
F
Misses out the crucial part
Am
I was a ruthless killer
G
With a ruthless killer's heart

[Chorus]
C             F
Was a vicious highwayman
Am                         Am G F
A source of pain and tears
C                F
When you hear how my story ends
Am                         Am G F
You won't believe your ears

[Bridge]
Em
I ran away to Yorkshire
F
Changed my name to John Palmer
Am
Was sent to prison
G
After stealing chickens from a farmer
Em
Wrote a letter to my family
F
A plea it did relate
Am
The postman saw the envelope
G
And here's the twist of fate
Em
He had taught me how to write
F
So he knew I'd lied
Am
"That's not John Palmer's hand
N.C.
That's Dick Turpin's!" he cried!

[Chorus]
C           F
Was a vicious highwayman
Am                            Am G F
My crimes had brought me fame
C              F
Was stitched up by a postie
Am                                    Am G F
That's not glamourous... that's lame!
C             F
No more stand and deliver
Am                             Am G F
You'll remember this, I hope
C              F
It's no fun hanging with highwaymen
N.C.
When you're... hanging from a rope!
C