Ballad Of Tim Evans by Ewan MacColl Lyrics

Tim Evans was a prisoner
Fast in his prison cell
And those who read about his crimes
They damned his soul to hell
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down."

For the murder of his own dear wife
And the killing of his own child
The jury found him guilty
And the hangin' judge, he smiled
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down."

Tim Evans pleaded innocent
And he swore by Him on high
That he never killed his own dear wife
Nor caused his child to die
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down."

The governor came in one day
And the chaplain by his side
Said, "Your appeal has been turned down
Prepare yourself to die."
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down."
They moved him out of C-block
To his final flowery dell
And day and night two screws were there
And they never left his cell
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down."

Sometimes they played draughts with him
And solo and pontoon
To stop him brooding on the rope
That was to be his doom
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down."

They brought his grub in on a tray
There was eggs and meat and ham
And all the snout that he could smoke
Was there at his command
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down."

Tim Evans walked in the prison yard
And the screws, they walked behind;
And he saw the sky above the wall
But he knew no peace of mind
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down."

They came for him at eight o'clock
And the chaplain read a prayer
And then they marched him to that place
Where the hangman did prepare
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down."
The rope was fixed around his neck
And a washer behind his ear
The prison bell was tolling
But Tim Evans did not hear
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down."

A thousand lags were cursing
And a-banging on the doors;
But Evans couldn't hear them
He was deaf for ever more
Sayin', "Go down, you murderer, go down."

They sent Tim Evans to the drop
For a crime he did not do
It was Christy was the murderer
And the judge and jury too
Sayin', "Go down, you murderers, go down."