Ian & Malcolm: This is one of the (many) areas in which Unprintable truely becomes valuable as a research tool. "Bonny Black Hare" is a fine old song but I've only heard Carthy sing it. Since it's sort of key-optional & since I haven't 1000th the control Carthy has, it's kinda hard for me to sing.

Randolph gives a version, apparently learned about 1890. Other than changing the date of the events, it has remarkably similar text to the English version. However, it uses "Villikins" ("Sweet Betsy") for a tune. This scans extremely well except one squeezed line. Actually scans somewhat better than Carthy's tune.