The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #140776   Message #3237591
Posted By: Jim Dixon
12-Oct-11 - 12:05 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Music-hall songs sung by Will Fyffe
Subject: Lyr Add: THE GAMEKEEPER (Will Fyffe)
My transcription from the album "Will Fyffe" (2008), as found at Spotify:


THE GAMEKEEPER
As sung by Will Fyffe

I'm known as Jock the keeper by the people in the village,
And there's not a poacher near when I'm around;
And the laird o the estate thinks I'm absolutely great,
That there's not a better keeper can be found;
But I know all the habits of the simple-minded rabbits,
And I'm quick enough sometimes to catch a hare;
And you can take my word, I'm also known by ev'ry bird,
But as I'm a married man I'll say nae mair.

CHORUS: But wi ma gun by ma side an my dug below ma airm,
I toddle through the heather in the gloamin.
When the old cock crows, ev'rybody knows
Ye're sure to see the keeper in the mornin.

I toddle to the village when the public hoose is open
And the village constable is there as well.
That's where we compare oor notes an wet oor thirsty throats
And lots o things each other have to tell;
And if its a rainy day, for hours and hours we stay,
And we're often known to stay till late at night;
For that's where we give evidence against the poacher lads
And we always put it down in black an white.*

[Patter omitted]

[Repeat chorus]

[* Possibly a pun on Black and White, a brand of Scotch whiskey.]