Chorus.
Then hip, hurrah!
Fling care away!
Hurrah for the game of high-toby!
[1: the moon] [2: light] [3: highwayman] [4: black horse] [5: sword; pistols] [6: high-way robbery] [7: fleet horse; horse] [8: pocketbook] [9: highwayman] [10: bullets] [11: gallows] [12: gallows]
THE DOUBLE CROSS [Notes] [1834]
[By W. HARRISON AINSWORTH, in Rookwood]
I
Though all of us have heard of crost fights,
And certain gains, by certain lost fights;
I rather fancies that its news,
How in a mill, both men should lose; [1]
For vere the odds are thus made even,
It plays the dickens with the steven: [2]
Besides, against all rule they're sinning,
Vere neither has no chance of vinning.
Ri, tol, lol, etc.
II
Two milling coves, each vide awake,
Vere backed to fight for heavy stake;
But in the mean time, so it vos,
Both kids agreed to play a cross;
Bold came each buffer to the scratch, [3]
To make it look a tightish match;
They peeled in style, and bets were making, [4]
'Tvos six to four, but few were taking.
Ri, tol, lol, etc.