Highwayman's Song

[wolfinthewood]

One of my favourite songs from The Beggar's Opera, which I saw on Friday at the remarkable Georgian Theatre in Richmond, Yorkshire.

Matt of the Mint's Song from The Beggar's Opera

Let us take the road.
Hark! I hear the sound of coaches!
The hour of attack approaches,
To your arms, brave boys, and load.

See the ball I hold!
Let the chymists toil like asses,
Our fire their fire surpasses,
And turns all our lead to gold.

John Gay (1685–1732)

play first performed in 1728

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