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MoorleyMan Origins: Thorneymoor Woods / Thornehagh-Moor Woods (11) ADD Version: Thorneymoor Woods 29 Aug 22


This is the version I sing, I got it from the Anne Briggs recording and just tweaked the odd word here and there for scansion.

THORNEYMOOR WOODS

In Thorneymoor Woods in Nottinghamshire,
Thorneymoor Woods in Nottinghamshire,
Three game-keepers' houses stood three-square,
About a mile from each other they were
Orders they were to look out for the deer.
Fol de lie, tora lie day

Now me and me dogs went out one night
The moon and the stars were shining bright
O'er hedges and ditches, fields and stiles
With my three dogs trotting close by me heels,
To catch a fat buck down in Thorneymoor fields.
Fol de lie, tora lie day

That very first night we had bad luck,
One of me very best dogs got shot
He come to me all bloody and lame
Right sorry I was for to see the same
And not being able to follow the game.
Fol de lie, tora lie day

I searched his wounds and found them slight
'Twas done by a game-keeper out of spite
Well I'll take a stick right tight in me hand
I'll search the woods till I find that man
I'll thrash his old hide right well if I can
Fol de lie, tora lie day

Now I come home and I went to bed
Limping Jack went out in me stead
O'er hedges and ditches, fields and stiles
He found a buck lying on the ground
My little dog has gave him the death-wound.
Fol de lie, tora lie day

And Limping Jack he cut the buck's throat
Tied his legs with good stout rope
And I had a laugh to see Limping Jack
Hoppin’ along with that buck on his back
Carried it just like a pedlar's pack
Fol de lie, tora lie day


Now we got us a butcher to skin the game
Likewise another to sell the same
And the very first joint as we offered for sale
Was to an old girl she sold bad ale
She had us young lads up in Nottingham gaol
Fol de lie, tora lie day


In Nottingham ’ssizes stand you and I
Us three young lads are up to be tried
But the magistrate laughed her all to scorn
He says the old bugger should be forsworn
Into little pieces torn
Fol de lie, tora lie day


Now Nottingham ’ssizes are gone and past
Us three young lads go free at last
The bucks and the does will never run free
A poacher's life is the life for me
A poacher I will always be
Fol de lie, tora lie,   Fol de lie, tora lie,
Fol de lie, tora lie day


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