The Boston Burglar

I was born and raised in Boston, a town you all know well
Brought up by honest parents, the truth to you I'll tell.
Brought up by honest parents and reared most tenderly
Till I became a sporting lad at the age of twenty-three.
My character was broken and I was thrown in jail.
My friends and parents did their best to get me out on bail.
But the jury found me guilty and the judge he wrote it down
For breaking of the Union Bank you are sent to Charlestown.

I can see my dear old father standing at the bar
And also my dear mother was tearing out her hair.
Tearing out her old grey locks as the tears came tumbling down.
My son, my son, what have you done to be sent to Charlestown?

I stepped on board as east-bound train one cold December day
And every station I passed by I could hear the people say,
There goes the Boston Burglar, in irons he is bound
For breaking of the Union Bank he is sent to Charlestown.

Now there's a girl that lives in Boston, a girl that I know well
And if I get my liberty, with her I mean to dwell.
And if I get my liberty, rough company I will shun
And likewise walking on the streets and likewise drinking rum.

Now you that have your liberty, keep it if you can
And don't go midnight rambling or you'll break the laws of man.
And if you do, you're sure to rue and end up just like me.
A-sentenced down to twenty years in the penitentiary.

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