Hi, Philippa, I just took a look at that old 1998 thread and the version in English I posted is the one I adapted for me to sing, based on Mary O'Hara's version, and not the one in the Clancy's songbook. I guess I'll add the Clancy version to this thread, since it is current.

This is how it appears in the Irish Songbook 75 Songs, the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem. You can purchase this songbook online.

MADERINE RUE
"Adapted with new words by Peg Clancy and Robert Clancy."

chorus
Maderine rue, rue, rue, rue, rue,
Maderine rue ta graine,
Maderine rue, and he hidin' in the *firs [furze],
And the tops of his two ears were peepin'.

As I came walking over the hill,
I spied a fox and he atin',
A cute little fox and he hidin' in the firs [furze],
And the tops of his two ears were peepin'.

"Good morrow , fox," "Good morrow, sir"
"Pray, what is that you're atin'?"
"A fine fat goose I stole from you,
And will you come and taste it?"

"Oh, no, indeed, bold fox," I said,
"How dare you boldly taunt me?
For I vow and swear that you'll dearly pay
For that fine fat goose you're atin'."

"Bad cess to you, you bold bad fox,
That stole my geese and ate them,
My great big cock, my fine fat hens,
And the nicest little ducks in Erin."

Tally ho le na baun, tally ho le na baun,
Tally ho le na baun, and we'll catch him,
Tally ho le na baun, tally ho le na baun,
And the tops of his two ears were peepin'.
---------------

*I think the editor of the songbook made a mistake in using the word "firs" instead of "furze". - Alice Flynn