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Dick Turpin

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[Intro]
N.C.
Everyone thinks they know the story
N.C.
Of Dick Turpin's highway glory
N.C.
But my past is far more gory
N.C.
I was no saint
N.C.
You think life is one big antic
N.C.
My profession is romantic
N.C.
Hate to be pedantic
N.C.
But it ends
[Instrumental]
Am G F
 C   F   Am(  Am   G   F)
[Verse 1]
CAs a butcher down in Essex
FI was handy with a knife
AmHad a sideline as a poacher
AmLed a less than honest life
CThe notorious gang of Gregory
FLiked my style and dedication
AmThey signed me up and gave me
AmA real robber's education
[Pre-chorus]
EmWe rampaged through the Essex farms
FWe stole and robbed and fought
AmBut when the law came for us
GI escaped and they got caught
[Chorus]
CI became a Fhighwayman
AmWas daylight robberyAm  G  F  
CI was no prince Fcharming
AmNothing dandy about meAm  G  F  
[Verse 2]
CThe truth is, I was violent
FAnd with my good mate, Matt King
AmRobbed travellers at gunpoint
AmMoney, watches, anything!
CMy horse it wasn't called Black Bess
FAlthough that's what you've read
AmWas no romantic hero
AmShot not one, but two men dead
[Pre-chorus]
EmThe legend that surrounds me
FMisses out the crucial part
AmI was a ruthless killer
GWith a ruthless killer's heart
[Chorus]
CWas a vicious Fhighwayman
AmA source of pain and tearsAm  G  F  
CWhen you hear how Fmy story ends
AmYou won't believe your earsAm  G  F  
[Bridge]
EmI ran away to Yorkshire
FChanged my name to John Palmer
AmWas sent to prison
GAfter stealing chickens from a farmer
EmWrote a letter to my family
FA plea it did relate
AmThe postman saw the envelope
GAnd here's the twist of fate
EmHe had taught me how to write
FSo he knew I'd lied
Am"That's not John Palmer's hand
N.C.
That's Dick Turpin's!" he cried!
[Chorus]
CWas a viciouFs highwayman
AmMy crimes had brought me fameAm  G  F  
CWas stitched up Fby a postie
AmThat's not glamourous... that's lame!Am  G  F  
CNo more stand Fand deliver
AmYou'll remember this, I hopeAm  G  F  
CIt's no fun hanFging with highwaymen
N.C.
When you're... hanging from a rope!
C

All chords in this song (5)

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Dick Turpin

by Horrible Histories

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

N.C.

Everyone thinks they know the story

N.C.

Of Dick Turpin's highway glory

N.C.

But my past is far more gory

N.C.

I was no saint

N.C.

You think life is one big antic

N.C.

My profession is romantic

N.C.

Hate to be pedantic

N.C.

But it ends

[Instrumental]

Am G F

C F Am Am G F

( )

[Verse 1]

As a butcher down in Essex

I was handy with a knife

Had a sideline as a poacher

Led a less than honest life

The notorious gang of Gregory

Liked my style and dedication

They signed me up and gave me

A real robber's education

[Pre-chorus]

We rampaged through the Essex farms

We stole and robbed and fought

But when the law came for us

I escaped and they got caught

[Chorus]

C F

I became a highwayman

Am Am G F

Was daylight robbery

C F

I was no prince charming

Am Am G F

Nothing dandy about me

[Verse 2]

The truth is, I was violent

And with my good mate, Matt King

Robbed travellers at gunpoint

Money, watches, anything!

My horse it wasn't called Black Bess

Although that's what you've read

Was no romantic hero

Shot not one, but two men dead

[Pre-chorus]

The legend that surrounds me

Misses out the crucial part

I was a ruthless killer

With a ruthless killer's heart

[Chorus]

C F

Was a vicious highwayman

Am Am G F

A source of pain and tears

C F

When you hear how my story ends

Am Am G F

You won't believe your ears

[Bridge]

I ran away to Yorkshire

Changed my name to John Palmer

Was sent to prison

After stealing chickens from a farmer

Wrote a letter to my family

A plea it did relate

The postman saw the envelope

And here's the twist of fate

He had taught me how to write

So he knew I'd lied

"That's not John Palmer's hand

N.C.

That's Dick Turpin's!" he cried!

[Chorus]

C F

Was a vicious highwayman

Am Am G F

My crimes had brought me fame

C F

Was stitched up by a postie

Am Am G F

That's not glamourous... that's lame!

C F

No more stand and deliver

Am Am G F

You'll remember this, I hope

C F

It's no fun hanging with highwaymen

N.C.

When you're... hanging from a rope!

About Dick Turpin Chords by Horrible Histories

Learn how to play Dick Turpin by Horrible Histories with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Dick Turpin chords”, “Dick Turpin guitar chords”, or “Horrible Histories Dick Turpin chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Dick Turpin chords and for experienced players who want accurate Dick Turpin lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Am, G, F, A, Em.

FAQ — Dick Turpin by Horrible Histories

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What key is "Dick Turpin" in?

The chords for "Dick Turpin" show the original chord names (including C, Am, G, F, A, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.