The Hare's Lament - Ye Vagabonds

Lyrics by：Traditional

Composed by：Traditional

On the first of November on a bright autumn's day

To the hills of Dromela I chanced for to stray

I was feeding on green grass that grows on yon ground

When my heart was set a beating by

The cry of the hounds

Mush a ri tally ho Hark ye over hi ho

Hark ye over cried the huntsman hark ye over hi ho

They hunted me up and they hunted me down

The bold huntsmen of Stratham

On my tail sent the hounds

Over highlands and lowlands moorlands also

Over hedges and ditches like the wind I did go

Mush a ri tally ho Hark ye over hi ho

Hark ye over cried the huntsman hark ye over hi ho

There was Ringwood and Rouser they gave me a close brush

But they soon found me hiding twas in the rush bush

And for better or worse I know I must die

But I'll do my endeavor these hounds to defy

Mush a ri tally ho Hark ye over hi ho

Hark ye over cried the huntsman hark ye over hi ho

Then up steps the huntsman to end all my strife

Saying let the hare go giver her play for her life

Wouldn't it be far better you killed Raymond the fox

Who killed all your chickens fare hen and game cock

Mush a ri tally ho Hark ye over hi ho

Hark ye over cried the huntsman hark ye over hi ho

And now I must die and I know not the crime

To the value of sixpence I ne'er harmed mankind

I ne'er was brought up for to rob or to steal

Un except for the croppings some tops of green kale

Mush a ri tally ho Hark ye over hi ho

Hark ye over cried the huntsman hark ye over hi ho

Mush a ri tally ho Hark ye over hi ho

Hark ye over cried the huntsman hark ye over hi ho