The Horrific Execution of Poor Peter Patterson
Lyrics
The bloody execution of poor Peter Patterson
Stains the pages of the history books of Northumberland
Arrested for high treason beyond all power of reason
To show that the powers are lenient and God can save the King
Peter Patterson was seventy-four years old
When he faced the hang-man’s noose
But even Fate seemed uncertain
As the rope around his neck came loose
And as he picked himself up from the ground
To face Death for a second round
He called out in defiance
And his words rang loud and clear
Though he was beastly treated
He did not plead, he did not beg
He bore his fate with dignity
Crying “Innocent blood is ill to shed!”
For the riots of Morpeth and Hexham
Alone he carried the can
A scapegoat for the ruling class
A martyr to the working man
But he stood proud and did not falter
When the hangman replaced the failing halter
And it proved second time unlucky
When the rope held strong and firm
The savagery metered out on him
Can barely be believed
Half-dead from the biting rope
Cut down in agony
Laid out like meat on a butcher’s slab
The meathooks tore his flesh apart
Disembowelled he smelled his entrails
Being burnt before his eyes
Though he was beastly treated
He did not plead, he did not beg
He bore his fate with dignity
Crying “Innocent blood is ill to shed!”
As his awful wounds pulsed and bled
He looked back on the life he’d led
But before his final breath had fled
The axe came down with fearful dread
Separating his body and his head
Making sure at last that he was dead
But before another tear was shed
Amid the carnage crimson red
Sickly sweet each gory shred
The hungry axe would still be fed
Each limb it sliced like knife through bread
Until at last his soul had fled
Down the corridors of Hell undead
His spirit haunts with untold dread
Crying “Innocent blood is ill to shed!”
Would that those who caused his death been led
To suffer the same fate in his stead
The guilt is surely on each head
For innocent blood is ill to shed
(Gary Miller)
© 2003 Whippet Records
Copyright Control MCPS/PRS
Notes
One of several songs Gary was commissioned to write for Hexham Riot, 1761.
Other songs from the 'Hexham Riot, 1761' project include 'Bloody Monday', 'Insurrection', 'Redcoat's Blues', 'Stand Fast, Stand Steady.
