From January to July
Upon the boards and stones I did lie,
Praying to Heavens both night and day
To take this thread of life away.
Oh then bespoke the President,
Hoping of me for to repent,
"I have done the best for you I can,
But O you are a dying man."
Twenty-five days I had to live,
And bread and water I did receive;
The Clergyman came twice a day,
And for my soul did daily pray.
But at that time from England came
The Duke of Devonshire by name,
Our Lord Lieutenant for to be,
And he from death did set me free.
And when this Lord appeared in land,
I wrote to him with my own hand,
Desiring that his Grace would save
A dying mortal from the grave.
But when he looked these lines upon,
And saw I was his own countryman,
He said, "I'll ease him of his care,
And send him home into Derbyshire."
Oh then he gave a strict command
For to release me out of hand;
A free discharge to me he gave,
And so his Grace my life did save.
So whilst I live I'm in duty bound
To kneel and pray upon the ground,
That when I die without control,
Sweet Jesus may receive my soul.
You soldiers all, where e'er you be,
And hear of this my misery,
I beg you'll warning take by me,
And so I end my tragedy.
Finis.