Having spent some while playing the song a dozen or more times so I could transcribe the song fully, I thought I would share the lyrics here in case they're of help to anyone else.

I first heard this song sung by The Druids, and I think there are a couple of other versions on YouTube.

THE CHRISTMAS HARE

It was one chilly Christmas eve as you shall quickly hear
There was winter on the treetops and the air was crisp and clear
The bus set out from Hucknall; for Mansfield it was bound
And steadily it made its way as the night was coming down.

It was down by Newstead Woodside as we were passing there
From out of the thicket ran a bonny brown hare
Down the road she started and she set a cracking pace
And the driver shouted, Tally ho! and after her gave chase.

Then he revved up his engine crying, Hark, hark away
The spirit of the chase it fairly carried him away
And as we swung along the road to the music of his horn
We thought that we would never live to see the Christmas morn.

Arms and legs went flying as we lurched around the bends
Wives clung on to husbands and friends clung onto friends
The conductor rang the bell like mad but the driver took no heed
Or else he took it for encouragement for he quickened up his speed.

And in Newstead and in Annesley they stand and stare aghast
For to hear a bus’s engine and a hare comes running past
Imagine their amazement as they wondered what was up
When the bus went flying past and left them standing at the stop.

Now she never looked behind her and she ran so straight and true
For the chase was nearly over when East Kirkby came in view
And coming past the Badger Box and round by Mutton Hill
The hare began to tire; it was time to make the kill.

Then all at once the bus stopped dead and we landed on the floor And looking out the window hare and huntsman there we saw
He held her by the ears crying isn’t she a winner
I’ve a wife and seven kids at home and here’s our Christmas dinner.