In Oxford there lived a merchant by trade,
He had for his servants a man and a maid,
A true Hampshire lad he had for his man
All for to do his business, his name it was John.
Laddy tell I day, tell I do, laddy laddy tell I day.

One morning quite early he called upon John,
And Johnny heard his master and quickly did run.
"Oh take this cow and drive her to the fair
For she's in good order and her I can spare."
Laddy tell I day, tell I do, laddy laddy tell I day.

So Johnny took the cow and away he did go,
He drove her to the fair, as far as I do know.
Before the day was over he sold her to a man,
Who paid him the chink, which was six pounds ten.

They went to a tavern for to get a drink,
'Twas there the tradesman laid down the chink.
Johnny turned to the lady and unto her did say,
"Oh, what shall I do with my money, I pray?"

"Sew it up in your coat lining," the lady did say,
"For fear you will be robbed along the highway."
The highwayman sat behind him a-drinking up his wine,
And said he to himself, "That money's all mine."

Then Johnny took his leave and away he did go,
The highwayman followed after him, as far as I do know.
He overtook the lad upon the highway,
"You're well overtaken, young man," said he.

"Oh jump on behind me, oh jump on and ride."
"How far are you going?" Little Johnny replied,
"About twelve miles, as far as I do know";
And Johnny jumped a-horseback and away he did go.

They rode along together till they came to a dark lane,
There the highwayman spoke up very plain:
"Deliver up your money without fear or strife,
Or in this lonesome valley you'll lose your pleasant life."

So Johnny, seeing there was no time for dispute,
Came down from the horse without fear or doubt;
From his coat lining he pulled the money out
And in the tall grass he strewed it well about.

The highwayman suddenly got down, got down from his horse,
And little did he think it was for his loss,
For while he was picking the money that was thrown
Little Johnny jumped his horseback and away he did go.

The highwayman followed after him and bid him for to stay,
But Johnny never minded him and still rode away,
And home to his master thus he did bring
Horse, saddle, and bridle and many a fine thing.

The servant maid, seeing Little Johnny's return,
She went and told his master, as near as I can learn,
The master came out and he looked very cross
And said, "Have you turned my cow into a hoss?"

"Oh no, dearest Master, your cow I have sold,
But be robbed on the highway by a highwayman bold,
And while he was picking the money in his purse
All for to make amends I came off with his horse."

The saddlebags were opened, and there, as I've been told
Ten thousand pounds and silver and gold,
A brace of loaded pistols. "Oh, Master, I vow,
I think for a boy I have well sold your cow."
Laddy tell I day, tell I do, laddy laddy tell I day.

"Oh yes, for a boy you have done quite rare;
Two-thirds of this money you shall have for your share,
And as for the villain with whom you had to fight,
I think you've played him a true Hampshire bite."
Laddy tell I day, tell I do, laddy laddy tell I day.