Oh, once I loved an outlaw

He came and stole my heart

Oh, how I count the hours

Since we were torn apart



On the road to Fairfax County

I spied a highwayman

He wanted all my money

My heart beat like a drum



I gave him all my money

And sweet he smiled at me

His beauty eye took pity

Beneath the black oak tree



We kissed but for an hour

The sun was newly warm

The clouds were as the flowers

That bloom but for a morn



He gave back all my money

And bowed most gallantly

He promised for to meet me

That night beneath the tree



We'd flee to some far island

And there we would be wed

And freely we would live there

With no price upon his head



That night I went to meet him

With my inheritance

He kissed me 'neath the half moon

And joyful we did dance



Oh, love betrays all secrets

It whispers in the breeze

The Sheriff, he did follow

With all his deputies



Like hounds rushing to slaughter

The fox whose luck is run

And he stood erect and cursed them

God damn you every one



They seized him in a fury

And heeding not my pleas

They hung him from the oak tree

Where he made love to me



Ohh, once I loved an outlaw

He came and stole my heart

Oh, how I count the hours

Since we were torn apart