The Female Highwayman

O Janie, O Janie, O Janie one day
She dressed herself in men's array.
With a brace of pistols all by her side
To rob her lover, away did ride,
To rob her lover, away did ride.

She met her lover out on the plain
On a coal-black charger she drew rein.
With a heavy pistol she then did aim,
"Give me your gold, or suffer pain,
Give me your gold, or suffer pain."

He delivered up his gold in store,
Said she, "Young man, there is one thing more.
'Tis a diamond ring I have seen you wear.
Deliver that, and your life I'll spare,
Deliver that, and your life I'll spare."

"The diamond ring is my own true love's
Before I'll part with it my life I'll lose."
She being tender hearted as any dove,
She turned and rode from her own true love
She turned and rode from her own true love.

In a few days after, this couple was seen
A-walking in the garden green.
When he saw his watch hanging by her side
It made him blush like a bride,
It made him blush like a bride.

"Oh, Janie, Janie, what a horrid plot!
If I'd had my pistols I might have shot
And left you bleeding out on the plain.
You would never see home or friends again,
You would never see home or friends again."

Note: see also Dog and Gun
From Vermont Folk Songs and Ballads, Flanders
Collected from Mrs. B. A. Chapman, Springfield, VT 1930
DT #451
Laws N21
RG