HARE OF KILGRAIN

Come all you bold sportsman of honor & fame
Who weekly appear on the braes of Kilgrain
With your servants & horses & dogs at command
And young Richard Hunter for to lead on the band

O the praise of our huntsman I mean for to sing
Their cries make the woods & the valleys to ring
Like old mighty Nimrod that huntsman of fame
Young Hunter goes on in pursuit of the game

November 14th, upon that fatal day
As down from my dwelling I happened to stray
All alone past the side of yon whinny green hill
Where oftimes in plenty I sported at will

As I wandered unhurtful to gather my food
The hounds were unbuckled as I understood
Neither wheat, corn, nor barley did every I spoil
For I always took green grass or the shamrock for soil

Under a bush I did lurk for sometime
While 20 around me & 6 did combine
My innocent life without pity to take
But quick as the lightning away I did make

Right over the mountains & away past Kilgrain
Well buckled by Ringwood & Slasher by name
And down past Young's building & away past Cloyfinn
That old beagle Draper my curse light on him

Along by Drumadraw for the bog once again
Thinking I there for some time might remain
But Drummer & Borer around me did rush
As I lay sore frightened up under a bush

Of lady & fair maid I then took my leave
While Hunter his hat by the stubble did wave
For the sign of the trail he was led to obey
It was you Richard Hunter led my life away

All over the mountains I made my wavering course
Right stoutly pursued by hounds, foot, & horse
And the cries of young Hunter so loud did he cheer
Each beagle & beagles to Ringwood gave ear

Right over my old course like lightning I flew
To keep a good distance from that bloody crew
And the cries of young Hunter so loud did he cheer
That bloodthirsty crew had my life in their care

My race being run I was forced to give o'er
My innocent body in pieces they tore
You may find other pastimes & drink health galore
On the braes of Kilgrain you will hunt me no more

Recorded by Casey Neill Trio, on the album "Skree"