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Black Jack

from Searchlights EP by Eleven-Year Switch

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about

This song is based on a British criminal from the 18th-century called Jack Sheppard. Born 4th March 1702 died on 16th November 1724. His prostitute wife Elizabeth Lyon and partner in crime Joseph Blake stole from the houses he worked his carpentry in until he was arrested the first time crossing Jonathan Wilds' gang. He was arrested multiple times, each time he escaped within hours even showing the gaolers how easily he could remove his padlocks using a small nail. Sheppard came before the Court of King's Bench at Westminster Hall on November 10th and offered a reduced sentence for informing on his associates, he scorned the offer and was sentenced to death.

lyrics

Born in White's Row, 1702
Ingenious
Forced into servitude
Hayne's Tavern, met a prostitute
Moved to Fulham
And so his life ensued...

Elizabeth
A liberation into subterfuge
Owen Wood
Taught his craft, off Drury Lane
‘Blueskin’ Blake
Highwayman brother, but not in name
And Johnny Wild
Linchpin criminal in London’s Lanes

Beth was arrested for her body that she sold
When Jack saw her in the roundhouse, in the hold
He broke her out; the gaolers said they did not know
Their whereabouts for several days, it was unknown

Black Jack well he keeps on getting away
Black Jack, surviving till the end
Black Jack well he keeps on getting away
Black Jack, surviving to this end

Elizabeth
A liberation of household effects
William Field
Deceitful congress from Wild's men
Hells Fury
The trap in motion lead to Jack's duress

Jack was arrested for the goods that he sold
Shackled down inside a cell, to his resolve
So he broke out; the gaolers said they did not know
His whereabouts for several days, it was unknown

Black Jack well he keeps on getting away
Black Jack, Surviving till the end
Black Jack well he keeps on getting away
Black Jack, Surviving to this end

Throw him in a cell, but I think you know
You will never hold him he can always go
Lock and chain him down no matter how hard you try
The master of escape, he will always fly

He’ll say see you, see you
Escaping from the roundhouse, easy he’s a master
See you, see you
Standing on the corner...

If you see him, you’ll know
He’ll deal you your final blow
You see him here and you know
You move like shadows and ghosts

If you see him, you’ll know
He’ll deal you your final blow
You see him here and you know
He moves like shadows and ghosts

See you, see you
Standing on the corner what a big disaster
See you, see you
Standing on the corner...

If you see him, you’ll know
He’ll deal you your final blow
You see him here and you know
He moves like shadows and ghosts

If you see him, you’ll know
He’ll deal you your final blow
You see him here and you know
He moves like shadows and ghosts

See you, see you
Standing on the corner what a big disaster
See you, see you
Standing on the corner what a big disaster

credits

from Searchlights EP, released December 10, 2012
Ross Davis
Dave Hodsdon
Richard Knight
Simon Taylor

license

all rights reserved

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Eleven-Year Switch image

Eleven-Year Switch Crawley, UK

Eleven-Year Switch are:
Drums: Ross Davis
Guitar: Dave Hodsdon
Vocals: Richard Knight
Bass: Simon Taylor

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