Classic Poem

Oh give attention, you maidens dear,
My dying moments are drawing near,
When I am sentenced alas to die
Upon a gallows gloomy and high.

Oh what sight it will be to see
A maiden die on the fatal tree.

I am a maiden in youth and bloom,
I a wretched murderer to die am doomed,
And in the city of Salisbury,
My days must end on a dismal tree.

My little brother, a darling sweet,
That fatal morning did soundly sleep,
I was perplexed, I invented strife,
Fully determined to take his life.

To the dirty closet I did him take,
The deed I done caused my heart to ache;
Into the soil I did him thrust down,
Where asleep in death he was quickly found.

My own dear father they did suspect
That he would suffer they did expect;
I was apprehended, but got clear,
Though I was the murderess of my brother dear.

Long, long I pined in deep distress,
At length the murder I did confess,
The vile Road murder, as you may see,
Committed was by no-one but me.

Farewell my father, my father dear,
I know for me you will shed a tear,
Yes, your wicked daughter in shame must die
For that cruel murder on a gallows high.

How many maidens will flock to see
A female die upon Salisbury's tree?
Constance Emily Kent is my dreadful name,
Who in youth and beauty dies a death of shame.

I must go to my silent grave;
Father, is there no-one your child to save?
Oh the awful moments are drawing near,
Father, forgive your daughter dear.

Oh God in heaven, look down on me,
As I stand on the dreadful tree,
Forgive the crime I, alas, have done,
Wash me with the blood of Thy blessed Son.

I must not live, I am bound to go,
I must be hurried to the shadows below.
My guilty heart long did quake with fear;
Why did I kill my little brother dear?

I see the hangman before me stand,
Ready to seize me by the law's command.
When my life is ended on the fatal tree,
Then will be cleared up all mystery.