Lyr ADD: The Pursuit of Farmer Michael Hayes^^^

Subject: Lyr ADD: THE PURSUIT OF FARMER MICHAEL HAYES
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Jan 25 - 01:13 PM

I first found these lyrics at Christy Moore’s website, then I listened carefully to Planxty’s recording and made a few changes to agree with what they sang. Not being familiar with all the place names, I am assuming Moore spelled them correctly.


THE PURSUIT OF FARMER MICHAEL HAYES
As recorded by Planxty on “After the Break,” (1979, remastered 2020)

I am a bold undaunted fox that never yet was trapped or caught.
Me rental, rates and taxes I was willin’ for to pay.
I made me name in fine good land between Tipperary and Knocklong
Where my forefathers lived and died three thousand years ago.

I lived as happy as King Saul and loved me neighbours one and all.
I had no animosity for either friend or foe.
Then I was of late betrayed by one who was a fool, I know.
He told me I should leave the place and show me face no more.

The day that he evicted me, it’s then I knew that I should flee.
Late one night I took his life and left him lyin’ low.
He fell victim to a shot; his agency was soon forgot.
From that day on, they’re searchin’ for farmer Michael Hayes.

Soon there was a great lookout by land and sea myself to rout,
From Dublin Quay to Belfast along the ragin’ sea.
By telegraph they did insert a great reward for my arrest,
Me figure, size and form, me name without mistake.

They broke their brogues a thousand pairs this great reward for to obtain,
But still their search was all in vain farmer Michael Hayes.
They searched Tipperary o’er and o’er, the cornfields near Galtymore.
They then went into Wexford town but did not long delay.

Through Ballyhale and Stranemore, they searched the woods as they went on.
It’s they were hungry, wet and cold before the break of day.
You may roam the world both far and near, but never such a tale you’ll hear
Of a fox to get away so clear as I did from them hounds.

They searched the rocks, the gulfs, the quays, the ships, the liners in the bays,
The ferryboats and steamers as they were goin’ to sea.
Around the coast, they made a steer from Poolbeg lighthouse to Cape Clear,
Killarney town and sweet Tralee; they then crossed into Clare.

When they landed on the shore, they searched Kilrush from tip to toe.
They searched the baths at sweet Lisdoon, likewise Milltown Malbay.
Galway bein’ a place of fame, they thought ’twas there I might remain.
Still their search was all in vain, for I gave them all leg bail.

They searched the train at Oranmore as she was leavin’ for Athlone—
Every wagon, car and coach they met along the road.
Connemara bein’ remote, they thought ’twas there I might resort;
But they were gettin’ weary; they resolved to try Mayo.

In Ballaghaderreen, they had to rest until the hounds they were refreshed.
They then went on to Westport and searched it high and low.
Through Castlebar, they made a trot when they heard I was in Castlerock.
Still they were deluded where I lodged the night before.

In Swinford town, where I lay down, I heard a dreadful cry of hounds,
Which filled me with the notion to retaliate my chase.
Bein’ weary from the road, I took a drink at half past four,
Which filled me heart with strength and speed when the hounds were gettin’ slow.

As the moon began to shine, I thought I’d make a foreign clime,
Leave them all to search away for farmer Michael Hayes.
To Dublin town, I made my way, then to Cobh and Amerikay.
Now I’m in the land of liberty; a fig for all my foes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Pursuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: meself
Date: 25 Apr 22 - 08:29 PM

So in one version, Michael Hayes kills his landlord - in another, he merely steals some "ducks and geese" ... !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Pursuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: GUEST,lrdgreen89
Date: 25 Apr 22 - 08:19 PM

(Google map continued...)

But it wasn't clear to me if the routes along the coast were by boat or on land. Anyone have insight to this question?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Pursuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Apr 22 - 08:14 PM

I made a Google map of the places in the song, tracing the path of the chases.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1aAy0MH_rRBf87eTInaOvsIyetZ8fxIoS&usp=sharing

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Pursuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 26 Apr 10 - 11:18 AM

The version as printed by Jim Dixon is the version that was sung by the late great Tom Lenihan of Knockbrack, Miltown Malbay.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE GENERAL FOX CHASE (from Zimmermann)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 25 Apr 10 - 11:36 PM

From Songs of Irish Rebellion: Political Street Ballads and Rebel Songs, 1780-1900 by Georges Denis Zimmermann (Hatboro, Pa., Folklore Associates, 1967), page 257:


THE GENERAL FOX CHASE (1862)

1. I am a bold undaunted fox that never was before on tramp,
My rent and taxes I was always willing for to pay;
I lived as happy as King Saul and loved my neighbours great and small,
And had no animosity for either friend or foe.
I made my den in prime good land between Tipperary and Knocklong,
Where my forefathers lived for three thousand years or more,
But now of late I was betrayed by one that was a fool and knave,
He told me I should quit the place and show my face no more.

2. As soon as he ejected me, I thought 'twas time that I should flee,
I stole away his ducks and geese, and murdered all his drakes,
I knew I could no longer stand because he had the hounds at hand,
So I tightened up my garters, and then I was away;
But soon there was a great look out by land and sea to make me out,
From Dublin quay to Belfast town, along the raging sea.
By telegraph they did me insert, a great reward for my arrest,
My figure, size, and form, and my name without a doubt.

3. They broke their brogues, some thousand pairs, this reward for to obtain,
But still there was no tidings of me or my retreat.
They searched Tipperary over, the cornfields and Galtymore,
They went along by Wexford but there did not delay;
Through Ballyhale and Stranmore they searched the woods as they went on,
Till they were hungry and cold at the approach of day.
Now, search the world far and near, the like before you did not hear,
A fox to get away so clear as I did from the hounds.

4. They searched the rocks, the gulfs and bays, the ships and liners at the quays,
The ferry-boats and steamers as they were going to sea;
Around the coast they took a steer from Poolbeg lighthouse to Cape Clear,
Killarney town, and sweet Tralee, and then crossed into Clare.
When they landed on the shore they searched Kilrush from top to toe,
The bathing places in Milltown or otherwise Malbay,
And Galway being a place of fame they thought 'twas there I was concealed,
But still their search was all in vain, for I gave them leg bail.

5. They searched the train in Oranmore as she was starting to Arklow,
And every waggon, car, and coach, that went along the road.
Connemara being remote they thought to that place I might resort.
When they were getting weary they resolved to try Mayo.
In Ballinrobe they had to rest until the hounds were quite refreshed,
From thence they went to Westport and searched it high and low.
Through Castlebar they took a trot, they heard I was in Castlerock,
But still they were deluded where I lodged the night before.

6. In Swinford town, as I sat down, I heard a dreadful cry of of horses,
So I took another notion to retaliate my chase;
I being weary from the road I took a dram at half past four,
I was then renovated whilst the hounds were getting weak;
The night being dark at Castlebar I knew not how to make my way,
I had neither den nor manger to shield me from the cold,
And the moon began to rise; I said I'd make for a foreign clime.
I am in the land of liberty, so a fig for all my foes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Persuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: GUEST,^&*
Date: 24 Apr 10 - 06:34 AM

Nice version by John Faulkner HERE

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Persuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: GUEST,Hilary
Date: 22 May 01 - 08:39 PM

Hi,

The Christy Moore songbook has the words and basic melody - unfortunately I've lent it someone at the moment.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Persuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: InOBU
Date: 22 May 01 - 01:08 PM

Damn! I didn't have a bet on that race! Oh well, thanks folks and folkies... someone let peg know it is here to sooth her at this rotten time... Larry

Subject: Lyr Add: YE LANDLORDS OF IRELAND
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 May 01 - 11:36 AM

Reminds me of this other "Murder the Landlord" ballad:
YE LANDLORDS OF IRELAND
(Source: Irish-American named Wild, late 19th century In Folksongs of Australia Adapted by Charles Ipcar in 1981 Tune: traditional "The Range of the Buffalo")

I went unto America, that sweet land of the free,
But returning in a few short years this news the priest told me,
Me mother'd been evicted and it caused me heart to mourn,
For she had in the poorhouse died in those years while I was gone.

Then a fearful venom seized me and with me right hand raised on high,
I swore by me creator, her landlord he must die;
The night was dark and stormy when I rode to where he dwelled,
The pistol drew, that tyrant slew, and I sent his soul to Hell!

That turned me to a wanderer, that caused me for to roam,
Far from me native Ireland, far from me mother's home;
When that day of judgment comes, when all our race is run,
May God forgive the venom shown by this poor widow's son.

So, ye landlords of Ireland, no matter where ye be,
When you meet your fate as he did then old Ireland will be free;
The American lands are helping, with their eagle's golden wings,
But the harp of dear old Ireland is a mass of broken strings.

Thanks for the above,
Landlady's Daughter, not to be confused with Charley Noble et al

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Persuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 22 May 01 - 11:30 AM

...and I can't subtract!
RtS (Stewards' ruling: Wolfgang by a short head. Living in Ascot has had no effect on me at all!)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Persuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: Wolfgang
Date: 22 May 01 - 11:28 AM

When Larry mentioned this song a couple of hours ago I tried to locate it in the DT and it took me some time to find it, much more than two minutes. I only profited now from the hard work hours ago.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Persuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: MartinRyan
Date: 22 May 01 - 11:26 AM

No need to rub it in, Wolfgang - I like to give people a chance!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Persuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: Wolfgang
Date: 22 May 01 - 11:24 AM

Martin,

that is a Mudcat first: Two two min links in one thread. And your first two min link if I'm not mistaken.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Persuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 22 May 01 - 11:23 AM

A dead heat at three minutes, Stewards' Enquiry and waiting for the photograph!
RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Persuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: MartinRyan
Date: 22 May 01 - 11:22 AM

Ha! Wolfgang - youi beat me to it! Still - two answers intwo minutes must be some sort of record!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Persuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: MartinRyan
Date: 22 May 01 - 11:21 AM

There you go!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Persuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: Wolfgang
Date: 22 May 01 - 11:21 AM

There's a good version in the DT: here.

Wolfgang

Subject: Pursuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
From: InOBU
Date: 22 May 01 - 11:19 AM

For Charlie Noble's request, and of course for Peg's land lord problems... does anyone have the words to the following, or, if not, we can build it from memory... It was on a Planxty album, I think the first one with Matt Molloy...
It begins
I am a bold undaunted fox
who never yet was trapped or caught
forgot the line...
I made me name in fine good land between Tipperary and lough crom?
Where my forefathers lived and died
three thousand years ago

I lived as happy as king Saul
and loved me neighbors one and all
me rents tariffs and taxes I was willing for to pay
But I was of late betrayed be one who was a fool I know,
He told me I should live this place and show me face no more.

The day that he evicted me, tis then I knew that I should flee
So late one night I took his life and left him lying low
He fell victim to a shot, and his agency was soon forgot
Now they are a searching for farmer Michael Hays