Come all false hearted young men And listen to my song, 'Tis of a cruel murder, That lately has been done On the body of a maiden fair The truth I will unfold, The bare relation of this deed Will make your blood run cold. Near Wirksworth town in Derbyshire, Ann Williams she did dwell, In service she long time had lived, Till this to her befel. Her cheeks were like the blushing rose All in the month of May, Which made this wicked young man Thus unto her did say: Nancy, my charming creature, You have my heart ensnared, My love is such I am resolved To wed you I declare. Thus by his false deluding tongue Poor Nancy was beguil'd, And soon to her misfortune, By him she proved with child. Some days ago this damsel fair Did write to him with speed, Such tenderness she did express Would make a heart to bleed. She said, my dearest William, I am with child by thee; Therefore, my dear, pray let me know When you will marry me. The following day at evening, This young man did repair, Unto the town of Wirksworth, To meet his Nancy there. Saying, Nancy dear, come let us walk, Among the flowery fields, And then the secrets of my heart To you I will reveal. O then this wicked young man A knife he did provide, And all unknown to his true love Concealed it by his side. When to the fatal spot they came, These words to her did say: All on this very night I will Your precious life betray. On bended knees she then did fall, In sorrow and despair, Aloud for mercy she did call, Her cries did rend the air; With clasped hands and uplift eyes She cried, Oh spare my life, I never more will ask you To make me your wedded wife. O then this wicked young man said, No mercy will I show; He took the knife all from his side, And pierced her body through. But still she smiling said to him While trembling with fear, Aä! William, William, spare my life, Think on your baby dear. Twice more then with the bloody knife He ran her body through, Her throat was cut from ear to ear, Most dreadful for to view; Her hands and arms and beauteous face He cut and mangled sore, While down upon her milk white breast The crimson blood did pour. He took the shawl from off her neck, And round her body tied, With pebble stones he did it fill, Thinking the crime to hide. O then into the silver stream