The Keepers and the Drivers

The keepers and the drivers, likewise some sporting men,
To have a day of hunting, lads, it was their hearts' intent;
So they went to Baron Kilner, and asked him for his ground,
To have a day of hunting, so they sent for Holmfirth hounds.

Laddie full light full la-rol-la,
Laddie full light full la-rol-la,
Laddie full light full la-rol-rol,
Laddie full light full la-rol-la.

So they choose a captain, likewise they choose a day,
At the Rose and Crown at Meltham, lads, the drivers' hunt was there;
They sent out invitations, they sent them a long way,
'Be sure to be at Meltham on that appointed day.'

The huntsman and the whipper-in, with sixteen harriers came,
And breakfast it being over, lads, he said "Now where's your game?"
The captain said to the huntsman. "The dogs they make a row,
Go fetch um yat ut stable, turn out at Royd Edge Brow."

They had not been out very long, when Sportsman he gave mouth,
"Hark! forward," said the huntsman, "she's lying to the south";
The hare, it being a stout one, she ran up Harden Clough,
And every honest sportsman there had pleasure quite enough.

This hare she gave a double, turns her head towards the west,
But Monitor and Lady, they did not let her rest;
For as they ran o'er Madge Knowle, the hounds were in full cry,
Away they went o'er hill and dale, till they came to Isle of Skye.

Charles Heaton and Sam Pogson said, "This hare's been over run,
We'd better leave the ground," they said, "her staying power is done."
Just then our worthy captain made just one remark,
"Let's wend our way to Meltham before it gets too dark."

And when we gate to Meltham, Walker Wood he took the chair,
And every honest sportsman there, his orders did obey;
Now some could sing and some could play, Joe O'Lukes could tell a tale,
Joe Brook he sings "Old Charlottee", John Brook filled us some ale.

John Schofield sang a hunting song, Joe O'Lukes he tells a tale,
And captain said to landlord, "Just fill this jug with ale";
But before he finished off his tale, he said "his hund was roe,"
He'd walked all gate thrut Isle of Skye, as it began to snow.

Ben Kinder he came down thrut Royd, he sang a Russian air,
I think they called it "Sambo", why, he sang it very fair;
He played a foreign instrument, he played it very neat,
He played his own accompaniment with his elbows, knees and feet.

There was one gamekeeper, he jumps up, "Before I do depart,
I'll bid adieu to Captain, lads, before I make a start;
For there's one think that is certain, he's got a name for life,
But he says he's near o' been Captain, but for Arthur Earnshaw's wife.

So here's adieu to huntsmen, and all invited guests,
It's been a pleasant evening, lads, it's been one of the best;
John Brook, he being the landlord, said "It is now closing time,"
So the drivers' hunt was ended, in nineteen hundred and nine.

Source: Hunters' Songs, Traditional Songs Sung By The Holme Valley Beagle's Hunt, IV Edition 1990. No author credited.

Notes
I don't think the song has been recorded; it isn't included in the Roud Index, but AlanG has sung it a few times at the Snug at Lymm. The references are very local; the place names can be followed on a 1;25 000 map although the Isle of Skye refers to a a former pub of that name on the Holmfirth road over Saddleworth Moor. The song gives a wonderful picture of a hunting singing session from before the First World War. Mr Barron Kilner of Wakefield wasn't a peer but was a member of the family famous for manufacturing glass jars. The Colne Valley Beagle hunt song book 'Songs of the Scarlet & Green' has a photograph taken in 1949 at High Moor, Saddleworth, which includes an elderly, but still sprightly looking, Joe O' Lukes.

Matthew