HARE OF KILGRAIN
Come all you bold sportsman of honor & fame Who weekly appear on the braes of Kilgrain With your servants & horses & dogs at command And young Richard Hunter for to lead on the band
O the praise of our huntsman I mean for to sing Their cries make the woods & the valleys to ring Like old mighty Nimrod that huntsman of fame Young Hunter goes on in pursuit of the game
November 14th, upon that fatal day As down from my dwelling I happened to stray All alone past the side of yon whinny green hill Where oftimes in plenty I sported at will
As I wandered unhurtful to gather my food The hounds were unbuckled as I understood Neither wheat, corn, nor barley did every I spoil For I always took green grass or the shamrock for soil
Under a bush I did lurk for sometime While 20 around me & 6 did combine My innocent life without pity to take But quick as the lightning away I did make
Right over the mountains & away past Kilgrain Well buckled by Ringwood & Slasher by name And down past Young's building & away past Cloyfinn That old beagle Draper my curse light on him
Along by Drumadraw for the bog once again Thinking I there for some time might remain But Drummer & Borer around me did rush As I lay sore frightened up under a bush
Of lady & fair maid I then took my leave While Hunter his hat by the stubble did wave For the sign of the trail he was led to obey It was you Richard Hunter led my life away
All over the mountains I made my wavering course Right stoutly pursued by hounds, foot, & horse And the cries of young Hunter so loud did he cheer Each beagle & beagles to Ringwood gave ear
Right over my old course like lightning I flew To keep a good distance from that bloody crew And the cries of young Hunter so loud did he cheer That bloodthirsty crew had my life in their care
My race being run I was forced to give o'er My innocent body in pieces they tore You may find other pastimes & drink health galore On the braes of Kilgrain you will hunt me no more
Recorded by Casey Neill Trio, on the album "Skree"
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