The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #62514   Message #1010347
Posted By: GUEST,MCP
29-Aug-03 - 01:48 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Hunting the Hare (from Kate Rusby)
Subject: Lyr Add: HUNTING THE HARE / HELA'R 'SGYFARNOG
Here's a set from A.P.Graves' The Celtic Song Book (1928), English words by Graves. I don't know if it's the same set as mentioned by Malcolm. (Welsh words are available too if you want them).

Mick

HUNTING THE HARE (Hela'r 'Sgyfarnog)
(English Words: AP Graves)

O the yelping of hounds, the skelping,
Along the cover and out at the back!
O the galloping, O the walloping!
O the rush of the "gone away" Jack!
Off like a feather he floats on the heather-
Blackberry calling the tune in his track,
Spot and Spider, and Beauty beside her,
The Red Rake and the rest of the pack.

Now they've lost him and now they're finding him,
Now he's winding 'em round by the stack!
Hark! the horn! to the height we follow 'em,
Cheer and holloa 'em for'ard or back.
Ne'er such a frisker at fate cocked a whisker,
Or bustled us brisker, than yonder old Jack.
One more double across the stubble,
And he's in trouble and tossed by the pack.

Bay and gray are away to the stable,
And jovial hunters the table attack;
Meet we're munching and oats they're crunching,
And pails they empty and bottles they crack.
Here's to the master! no fairer or faster
To steady the heady or screw up the slack!
Here's to the hunt! and our glasses a-jingle
With joy commingle - and here's to the pack.