Page:Four new songs (1).pdf/2

 The Armagh Tragedy,

Come all you married women, of prudent modesty

Hear my declaration, and take warning by me,

And never let lustful pride contrive so foul a

As to murder your dear husbands, and be hang'd for the same.

Twas in the county of Armagh as you shall understand

Where I was bred and born not a mile from

Hard by great lord Gosford where I the blood spill

Of my dear husband, not far from Market hill.

My husband, Reid Manholam, had a large freehold,

Besides great store of riches, as I to you unfold,

Four years we lived together, a happy man and wife

But for the want of children I took my husband's life.

Then we employed a labourer, he was a cunning man,

His name was Robert Edgar, and he contrived the bloody plan.

My husband being oft abroad, we the liberty

To execute our base desires in real debauchery.

My relations they took notice, so did my husband's friends,

That I paid great attention to Edgar's wicked plans

My husband he came from Belfast upon that fatal night

He had suspicion true that put us both to flight.

A messenger was sent for me, I soon returned home

I appeared before my husband all in his sleeping room

He cautioned me most tenderly, which I thought very strange,

Then he beat me with his horse-whip which made me seek revenge.