'Bonny Black Hare'?

'Ranter Parson and the Cunning Farmer's Wife'.
Dick Snell found this in the Madison Broadside Collection in Cambridge and put his own tune to it.
I sang it many years ago at the Poulton Festival and the main guest (can't remember his name) asked if I minded if he recorded it - I believe he did, but I never heard it, nor did I ever hear anybody else sing it - still one of my stand-bys
Jim Carroll

The Ranter Parson and the Cunning Farmer's Wife.

It is of a sly Ranter Parson, for preaching he lived in greet fame,
Near the town of Romford did dwell, though I dare not to mention his name
Likewise of a jolly young Farmer, a neighbour who lived hard by,
And soon on the wife of the farmer the Ranter he cast a quick eye.

While the farmer his business did mind, and. rose with the lark in the morn,
The ranter was forming a plan how to crown the young farmer with horns
He oft to the farmer would go and preach for the good of his soul
But when that you hear of the joke I'll warrant you'11 say it was droll,

The ranter, if you had but seen, you' have thought he was free from all evil
But though pure as a snow-drift without, within was as black as the devil.
One day, as the farmer was out, thinks he, I shall gain my desire;
So unto his house he did start and he sat himself down by the fire.

He says, my dear lady, I'm told, your husband won't come home tonight,
I value not silver or gold if I can but enjoy my delight.
Oh then, she replied with a smile, my husband is gone for a week;
The ranter he little did think how she meant for to play him a trick.

When all things were silent at night she whispered these sounds in his ears
The best bed it   stands in the parlour, and you may go to it my dear,
And when you are safe got to bed, my dear, I will come with all speed
Alright, says the ranter, make haste, and so was the bargain agreed.

The ranter he jumped into bed and he lay there as snug as you please;
The lady slipped into the garden and brought in a fine hive of "bees
She carried them into the parlour and threw them down slap on the floor
So nimbly then she ran out and on him she locked the door.

The bees began buzzing about, the ranter he jumped on the floor,
So sweetly he capered and danced while they stung him behind and before.
Till at length he got out of the window since no other way could he find.
His clothes he ne'er stopped for to take but was glad for to leave them behind.

All smarting cad sore with the stings he ran home to his wife in his shirt,
Such a figure of fun for to see all besmeared with the mud and the dirt.
Next morning the farmer came home, as I for a truth have been told,
In one of the ranter's side-pockets found thirty bright sovereigns in gold.

The ranter he got in disgrace, the farmer he laughed at the joke
To think how the ranter would look without breeches or waistcoat or coat.
The ranter he frets and he pines to think: at the loss of his money;
And the farmer though he lost his bees thinks he is well paid for his honey.