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User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
RTim Lyr Req: While the Gamekeepers Lie Sleeping (19) Lyr Add: HARES IN THE OLD PLANTATION 19 Aug 16


The version, tune and words, generally sung was published by Frank Purslow in his book - Marrowbones - Collected originally by Dr. George Gardiner.
Purslow used Gypsy James Ray's (of Petersfield) words and the tune collected from Charles Bull of Marchwood (actually - Longdown).
Bull called his version - Hare's in the Old Plantation. His actual words are listed below:

HARES IN THE OLD PLANTATION. - Chas. Bull, Marchwood June 1907
These are the actual Bull words, not the Purslow amended version using Ray's words, etc., with Bull's tune.

I had a dog in my father's care,
Twas in his care and keeping,
To catch some game was my intent,
While keepers they lie sleeping.

My dog and I now scent could tell,
All around their habitation,
So up jumps one and away she runs,
Right into the plantation.

"Tan, tan" she holloed, "tan, tan" she cried,
"There's something stops me running,"
I says "be still you silly thing,
For your Uncle's just a-coming."

My dog and I now scent could tell,
Twas in a field on further,
Up jumps one and away she run,
My dog and she struck murder.

I picked her up and I cracked her crown,
And in my pocket I put her,
Thinks I to myself "I better be off,
Before the keeper's coming."

I went into a neighbour's house,
And asked what they would give me,
They said they'd give me a crown a brace,
If I could bring them fifty.

I went into a public house,
There I sat and got mellow,
I spent that crown and another one too,
Wasn't I a jolly fellow?


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