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Bedlam Boys

from Castle Crossing by Castle Crossing

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about

One of the earliest songs about madness that was first introduced in 1618. Bedlam was a common name for St. Mary Bethlehem hospital in London (now called Bethlem Royal Hospital) which housed the insane. During the 18th century it was a popular diversion to visit the hospital to watch the antics of the poor inmates. Admission was one penny and it is said the hospital realized an income of four hundred pounds a year from visitors.

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lyrics

To see Mad Tom of Bedlam, ten thousand miles I traveled
Maudlin goes on dirty toes, for to save her shoes from gravel

Yet will I sing, bonny boys, bonny mad boys, Bedlam boys are bonny
For they all go bare and they live in the air, and they want no drink or no money

I went to Satan's kitchen, to break my fast one morning
And there I got souls piping hot, that on the spit were turning

Yet will I sing, bonny boys, bonny mad boys, Bedlam boys are bonny
For they all go bare and they live in the air, and they want no drink or no money

My staff has murdered giants, and my pack a long knife carries
To cut mince pies from children's thighs, with which to feed the fairies

Yet will I sing, bonny boys, bonny mad boys, Bedlam boys are bonny
For they all go bare and they live in the air, and they want no drink or no money

His spirit hot as lightning did on the journey guide me
The sun did shake, the pale moon quaked, when e'er they did espy me.

Yet will I sing, bonny boys, bonny mad boys, Bedlam boys are bonny
For they all go bare and they live in the air, and they want no drink or no money.

No gypsy, slut nor doxy, shall take me Mad Tom from me
I'll dance all night and with stars fight, the fray it shall become me

Oh, will I sing, bonny boys, bonny mad boys
Bedlam boys are bonny
For they all go bare and they live in the air, and they want no drink or no money

To see Mad Tom of Bedlam, ten thousand miles I traveled
Maudlin goes on dirty toes, just to save her shoes from gravel

Oh, will I sing, bonny boys, bonny mad boys
Bedlam boys are bonny
For they all go bare and they live in the air, they want no drink or no money

credits

from Castle Crossing, released April 14, 2015
Traditional

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Castle Crossing Charleston, South Carolina

Castle Crossing performs an eclectic mix of Celtic and Americana covers and originals on vocals, guitar, bass, fiddle and bodhran/percussion. Based in Charleston, SC, these 4 seasoned musicians weave a rich tapestry of sound grounded in traditional and modern roots music.

Members are: Jeff Castle, Regina Ruopoli, Ellie Jos and Frank Ruopoli ... more

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