Funky folk tunes, saucy songs and an infectious stage energy, the band mixes fiddles & squeezeboxes, guitar noise & synth bass, and a feast of international hand percussion to bring you an unforgettable folk-rock extravaganza. Grounded in English traditions - but never afraid to explore more exotic musical avenues - they create a sound that is equal parts tasty, dramatic and danceable.
They began in 2009 with an EP entitled Heaven's To Betsy. Albums followed, including Tomorrow We’ll Be Sober (2011), Whip Jamboree (2013).
The Valiant Turpin
Blackbeard's Tea Party Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He spied a lawyer come his way
He bade that lawyer make a stand
Your gold, he said, is my demand
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
Oh rare Turpin oh
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
The lawyer stood and so replied
Your bold demand must be denied
Before my money you receive
Well one of us must cease to live
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
Oh rare Turpin oh
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
I am the valiant Turpin oh
So Turpin then without remorse
Rare Turpin hero
He knocked the lawyer from his horse
Rare Turpin oh
And left him on the ground to sprawl
And took his money, gold and all
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
Oh rare Turpin oh
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
I am the valiant Turpin oh
For shooting of that dunghill cock
Rare Turpin hero
Dicky he at last was took
Rare Turpin oh
And thrown into a jail
Where his misfortune he did bewail
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
Oh rare Turpin oh
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
I am the valiant Turpin oh
He stepped out in his flash new suit
Rare Turpin hero
With ten shillings he′d recruit
Rare Turpin oh
Five smiling mourners to stand by
And watch the way poor Dicky died
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
Oh rare Turpin oh
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
I am the valiant Turpin oh
And when that hangman's noose did creak
Rare Turpin hero
Not a mourner there did weep
Rare Turpin oh
For shooting of the dunghill cock
His legacy is nowt but rope
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
Oh rare Turpin oh
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
I am the valiant Turpin oh
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
Oh rare Turpin oh
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
I am the valiant Turpin oh
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
Oh rare Turpin oh
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
I am the valiant Turpin oh
Singing oh rare Turpin hero
Oh rare Turpin oh
Singing oh oh Turpin hero
I am the valiant Turpin
The Valiant Turpin is a traditional English ballad about a notorious highwayman named Dick Turpin. The song tells the story of Turpin riding through the countryside looking for prey when he comes across a lawyer. He demands the lawyer's gold, but the lawyer refuses and challenges Turpin to a duel. Turpin knocks the lawyer off his horse, takes his gold, and rides off. Later, Turpin is caught for shooting a "dunghill cock" and is sentenced to death by hanging. At his execution, he hires mourners to stand by and watch as he is hanged. The song praises Turpin as a hero and the "valiant Turpin."
The lyrics of the Valiant Turpin reflect the romanticization of highwaymen that was popular in 18th and 19th century England. Dick Turpin was a real-life highwayman who was executed in 1739 for horse theft. However, he became a legend and a symbol of rebellion against authority. The song portrays Turpin as a brave and daring hero who defies the law and fights for his own survival. The story of the lawyer who refuses to give up his gold echoes the Robin Hood mythos, where the poor stand up against the rich and the powerful.
Line by Line Meaning
As Turpin rode in search of prey
Turpin was out looking for someone to rob
He spied a lawyer come his way
He saw a lawyer approaching
He bade that lawyer make a stand
Turpin demanded that the lawyer stop and face him
Your gold, he said, is my demand
Turpin demanded that the lawyer hand over his money
The lawyer stood and so replied
The lawyer refused to back down
Your bold demand must be denied
The lawyer rejected Turpin's demand
Before my money you receive
The lawyer wouldn't give up his money without a fight
Well one of us must cease to live
The lawyer was willing to fight Turpin to keep his money
So Turpin then without remorse
Turpin showed no guilt or regret
He knocked the lawyer from his horse
Turpin attacked the lawyer and knocked him off his horse
And left him on the ground to sprawl
Turpin left the lawyer lying on the ground
And took his money, gold and all
Turpin stole the lawyer's money and valuables
For shooting of that dunghill cock
Turpin was later caught for killing a rooster
Dicky he at last was took
Turpin was finally captured
And thrown into a jail
Turpin was imprisoned
Where his misfortune he did bewail
Turpin complained about his bad luck
He stepped out in his flash new suit
Turpin dressed up in his fancy new clothes
With ten shillings he′d recruit
Turpin paid people to attend his execution
Five smiling mourners to stand by
Turpin hired mourners to make his execution seem more important
And watch the way poor Dicky died
The mourners were there to see Turpin's execution
And when that hangman's noose did creak
When Turpin was put in the noose
Not a mourner there did weep
None of the hired mourners were sad to see Turpin go
His legacy is nowt but rope
Turpin's only legacy is his death by hanging
Writer(s): Traditional
Contributed by Ryan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@a.jamesstretton3813
Excellent work people. Very well done indeed.
@Menticknap
Looking forward to seeing these guys at Malton tonight!
@annentwistle6496
This is a fantastic song guys keep it up.😀
@nickeden1538
The Duchess? I miss that place, despite its always sticky floor.
@annentwistle6496
Sick
@somewony
I really like the song, but the video has some issues. Apart from the annoying intro, the sound quality goes to shit for 5 seconds at 1:40.
@tedhenderson1822
too bad!