The Naked Highwayman chords

Fairport Convention

Key: 

Simplify chords 

  			
Intro 
C G C G 

Verse 
   C 
As I rode out one summer's day, for profit and for pleasure 
                                                    G 
I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my leisure 
  C 
A brace of pistols duly primed, a sabre fit to shave on 
                                                      G 
I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of Avon 

Verse 
  C 
I didn't hear her dainty step, as she appeared before me 
                                                      G 
A face to charm a singing bird, with words that did implore me 
 C 
"Can you help me sir?" she said, "I fear the time is near run 
                                                    G 
For me to cross before the tide swells the banks of Avon" 

C                                        F 
All you roving fellows, listen while you can 
C                                        F 
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 
     C                                        F 
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can 
C                                        F 
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 

Verse 
   C 
So gallantly I did dismount and walked into the water 
                                                 G 
As she told me that she was a wealthy merchant's daughter 
C 
So I thought I'd try my luck and do my best to charm her 
                                     G 
Said I was the only son of a country farmer 

Verse 
      C 
"Your hands they are as smooth as silk, they never touched a plough, sir 
                                                 G 
I suppose those pistols help you milking of your cows" 
    C 
She looked at me with mocking eyes, as coal-black as a raven 
                                                   G 
And then she fell into my arms beside the banks of Avon 

C                                        F 
All you roving fellows, listen while you can 
C                                        F 
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 
     C                                        F 
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can 
C                                        F 
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 

Instrumental 
F    Am    D    Am    G 

Verse 
    C 
Her honeyed lips, I was beguiled, a lamb led to the slaughter 
                                                       G 
Eventually I fell asleep in the arms of the merchant's daughter 
     C 
When I awoke I was alone, my clothes and pistols taken 
                                                          G 
With just the leaves to hide my shame beside the banks of Avon 

Verse 
   C 
In vain I tried to catch a glimpse of the city spires 
                                                 G 
Running like a rabbit through the bushes and the briars 
C 
Then I heard the London coach and I was all a-shiver 
                                                G 
A lady's voice was calling out, "Stand-to and deliver!" 

C                                        F 
All you roving fellows, listen while you can 
C                                        F 
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 
     C                                        F 
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can 
C                                        F 
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 

Verse 
      C 
"Your money or your life I'll have, it's all the same to me 
                                                 G 
It's hanged for a sheep or murder in the first degree" 
    C 
She stood there in my overcoat, brandishing my pistol 
                                             G 
And relieved the London coach of the gold of Bristol 

Verse 
          C 
And she's up and mounted on my horse and rode into the distance 
                                            G 
And I went naked to the coach begging for assistance 
   C 
No more I'll play the highwaymen, nor more I'll put the mask on 
                                                             G 
I'll leave it to the bright-eyed girl who roams the banks of Avon 

C                                        F 
All you roving fellows, listen while you can 
C                                        F 
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 
     C                                        F 
Come all you roving fellows, listen while you can 
C                                        F 
Of the time that I became a naked highwayman 

Instrumental 
F    Am    D    Am    G 

Verse 
   C 
As I rode out one summer's day, for profit and for pleasure 
                                                    G 
I planned to rob the London coach and take it at my leisure 
  C 
A brace of pistols duly primed, a sabre fit to shave on 
                                                      G 
I waited underneath the trees that lined the banks of Avon 

Outro 
G