| "The Boston Burglar" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Johnny McEvoy | |
| B-side | "I Still Miss Someone" |
| Released | 1967 |
| Genre | Folk, Irish |
| Label | Pye |
| Songwriter(s) | Unknown (Trad.) |
The Boston Burglar (Roud 261) was a number one hit in the Irish Charts for Johnny McEvoy in 1967.[1] It is a transportation ballad commonly assumed to have been adapted in America from the sea shanty The Whitby Lad / Botany Bay.[2] before the 20th century. The filk song Banned from Argo's tune was based on this song.
The story tells of a young man who has been well brought up but turns to crime in the city of Boston, in America.[2] Caught, tried and sentenced the man is placed on train to Charlestown,[2] and warns people to be lawful so to not end up incarcerated like him.[3][a]