dr palmer

from the old baby farmer by meh229

	/

about

Boozy, gambling doctor poisons family and friends to clear his debts.
Hanged at Stafford Gaol, but survives as footnote in the Sherlock Holmes stories.

lyrics

Many years I was a sportsman,
Many wondrous deeds I've done,
Many races I've attended,
Many thousands lost and won,
They say I killed my wife's mother,
Took away her precious life,
Slew poor Cook and my own brother,
Poisoned my own lawful wife.

Everything looks black against me,
That I freely do confess,
Each new thought that comes now to me,
Causes me pain and distress,
Quick the jury did convict me,
Proved I did commit the deed,
Sentence passed on William Palmer,
Sent me back to jail with speed.

My poor mother back in Rugeley,
Her son's end must now bewail,
Knows her boy must die with scorn,
A felon's death in Stafford jail,
Every charge alleged against me,
I have strongly it denied,
Twelve long days my trial lasted,
Now I am condemned to die.

Dreadful is my situation,
Here before the trap I stand,
Might have filled a noble station,
Might have been a happy man,
Children yet unborn will mention,
When to manhood they appear,
The name of Dr William Palmer,
Of Rugeley Town in Staffordshire.

No-one cares a jot for Palmer,
Though each charge I strong denied,
No-one doubts that I am guilty,
By a jury I've been tried,
My fate now must make me tremble,
Borne down with much grief and care,
Here's the end of William Palmer,
Of Rugeley Town in Staffordshire.

My trial causes great excitement,
In town and country everywhere,
Now guilty found is William Palmer,
Of Rugeley town in Staffordshire.

credits

from the old baby farmer, released December 4, 2015
trad/meh229

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about

meh229 Scotland, UK

musical wanderer

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