Turpin Hero
Turpin's Bold Ride: Unveiling the Hidden Meanings
Lyrics
On Hounslow Heath as I rode o'er I spied a lawyer riding before
Observing a lawyer riding on Hounslow Heath, the narrator questions if he fears the notorious Turpin.
"Kind sir are you afraid, of Turpin, that mischievous blade?"
The lawyer responds, asking if the narrator is afraid of Turpin, the infamous troublemaker.
Oh rare Turpin hero, oh rare Turpin oh
Celebrating Turpin as a hero with admiration.
Said Turpin, "He'd never find me here, I hid my money in my boot."
Turpin boasts that his money is well-hidden in his boot, confident that he won't be discovered.
The lawyer says, "There's none can find, I hid my gold in my cape behind."
The lawyer claims his gold is concealed behind his cape, asserting it is equally secure.
Oh rare Turpin hero, oh rare Turpin oh
Reiterating Turpin's heroism with enthusiasm.
As they were riding past the mill
The scene shifts to them passing a mill.
Turpin commands him to stand still;
Turpin instructs the lawyer to stop, intending to use his cloak as a saddle cloth for his mare.
Says, "Your cloak I must cut off, my mare she needs a saddle cloth."
Turpin plans to cut off the lawyer's cloak for his horse's needs.
Oh rare Turpin hero, oh rare Turpin oh
Reiteration of Turpin's heroism.
As Turpin rode in search of prey
Turpin continues his pursuit of potential victims.
He spied a man on taxway;
He spots a man on taxway (possibly a path associated with taxes or tolls).
And boldly then he bid him stand,
Turpin boldly commands the man to stand, announcing his intention to rob him of his gold.
"Your gold, " he said, "I do demand."
Turpin demands the man's gold without hesitation.
Oh rare Turpin hero, oh rare Turpin oh
Repeating Turpin's heroism with admiration.
Oh Turpin then without remorse
Without remorse, Turpin forcefully knocks the man off his horse.
He knocked him quite from off his horse;
Describing Turpin's ruthless act without regret.
And left him on the ground to sprawl
Leaving the man sprawled on the ground, Turpin escapes with his gold.
While he rode off with his gold and all
Emphasizing Turpin's daring actions and successful robbery.
Oh rare Turpin hero, oh rare Turpin oh
Reiteration of Turpin's heroism.
Well Turpin is condemned to die
Turpin is sentenced to hang, facing execution.
To hang upon yon gallows high;
Describing Turpin's fate of hanging on a high gallows.
Whose legacy is a strong rope
The legacy Turpin leaves behind is a strong rope, emphasizing his infamous end.
For the shooting of a dung-hill cock.
Metaphorically comparing Turpin's fate to the shooting of a dung-hill cock, portraying it as an ignoble end.
Oh rare Turpin hero, oh rare Turpin oh
Repeating Turpin's heroism despite the impending doom.
Oh rare Turpin hero, oh rare Turpin oh
Repetition of Turpin's rarity and heroism.
Oh rare Turpin hero, oh rare Turpin oh
Continuation of the repeated admiration for Turpin as a hero.
Oh rare Turpin hero, oh rare Turpin oh
Concluding with a final tribute to Turpin's rare heroism.
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