Traditional
The Unfortunate Rake
As I was a walking down by the “Lock”
As I was walking one morning of late
Who did I spy but my own dear comrade
Wrapp'd in flannel, so hard is his fate

Had she but told me when she disordered me
Had she but told me of it at the time
I might have got salts and pills of white mercury
But now I'm cut down in the height of my prime

I boldly stepped up to him and kindly did ask him
Why he was wrapp'd in flannel so white?
My body is injured and sadly disordered
All by a young woman, my own heart's delight

My father oft told me, and of times chided me
And said my wicked ways would never do
But I never minded him, nor ever heeded him
I always kept up in my wicked ways

Get six jolly fellows to carry my coffin
And six pretty maidens to bear up my pall
And give to each of them bunches of roses
That they may not smell me as they go along

Over my coffin put handsful of lavender
Handsful of lavender on every side
Bunches of roses all over my coffin
Saying there goes a young man cut down in his prime
Muffle your drums, play your pipes merrily
Play the death march as you go along
And fire your guns right over my coffin
There goes an unfortunate lad to his home