Artist: Ralph McTell
Author: Ralph McTell
Label: Mays
Year: 1982

On his Water Of Dreams album. Set in the dark streets of post-war London. Bentley & Craig were two shoplifters caught red-handed by a police officer (PC Miles), shot by the youngest (minor Chris Craig). Following their trial, the oldest (Derek Bentley) was executed. The whole affair was headline news throughout, sharply dividing the public opinion over the death penalty case. Fortyfive years later June Tabor reopened this badly healed wound, the same year Derek Bentley's family obtained a re-trial and posthumous rehabilitation.

This is not the only song on the subject: Elvis Costello's Let Him Dangle (from Spike) also mentions Bentley & Craig. Karl Dallas wrote Derek Bentley, cut by Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger, while The Bureau (members of Dexy's Midnight Runners) cut Let Him Have It. That's also the title of a film about the case ('91), inspiring at least two plays. "Let him have it, Chris" said Derek and can be interpreted both as "Shoot him" or "Let him have that gun". See also: Ballad Of Tim Evans (Go Down You Murderer).