Down by the side of Bedlam City
Once I heard a maid complain,
Making her moans and sad lamentations,
"I've lost my joy and my only swain.
Billy's the lad that I do admire
Billy's the lad that I do adore
Now for him his love's a-dying
For fear she'd never see him more."

"Don't you hear the cannons rattle?
Don't you hear the trumpets sound?
Billy is a-dying in the midst of battle,
Dyingof his bleeding wound.
Don't you see my Billy coming?
Don't you see in yonder cloud?
Billy with the angels round him,
Billy in his bloody shroud!"

abc | midi | pdf

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Source: Lucy Broadwood and J A Fuller Maitland. 1893, English County Songs, Leadenhall Press, London

Notes:
Words and tune from Mr F Scarlett Potter, Halford, Shipston-on-Stow

Roud: 0968 (Search Roud index at VWML)
Laws:
Child: