In Thorney woods in Nottinghamshire,
Right fol lol de li de O!
Three keepers' houses stood three square,
Fol de rol lol de ri da!
Three keepers' houses stood three square,
About a mile from each other they were
In order to look after the deer,
Fol de rol lol de rol li do!
I and my dogs went out one night,
Right fol lol de li de O!
The moon and the stars they shone so bright,
Fol de rol lol de ri da!
O'er hedges, ditches, gates and stiles
With my two dogs close at by heels,
To look for a buck in Parkmoor fields,
Fol de rol lol de rol li do!
The very first night I had bad luck
Right fol lol de li de O!
For my very best dog om the breast got stuck
Fol de rol lol de ri da!
He came to me so limping lame
He was not able to follow the game
How sorry was I to see the same!
Fol de rol lol de rol li do!
I searched his woulds, and found them slight.
Right fol lol de li de O!
'Twas done by a keeper out of spite,
Fol de rol lol de ri da!
I took my pikestaff in my hand
And ranged the woods to find the man
To see whether I his hide could tan,
Fol de rol lol de rol li do!
When I had rang-ed all that night
Right fol lol de li de O!
Until the next morning it was daylight
Fol de rol lol de ri da!
When I had rang-ed all that night
Until the next morning it was daylight
I thought it high time to take my flight,
Fol de rol lol de rol li do!
Then I went home and I went to bed
Right fol lol de li de O!
And limping Jack sent in my stead
Fol de rol lol de ri da!
In Parkmoor fields, oh there he found
A brave fat buck running over the ground
And my two dogs soon pulled him down
Fol de rol lol de rol li do!
I listened a while to hear their note
Right fol lol de li de O!
Jack drew a quivy and cut his throat
Fol de rol lol de ri da!
How you'ld have laughed to see limping Jack
Come hopping along with a buck on his back
And hide it under the miller's haystack,
Fol de rol lol de rol li do!
We sent for the butcher to dress up our game
Right fol lol de li de O!
And likewise another to sell the same
Fol de rol lol de ri da!
A very fine haunch we offered for sale
'Twas to an old woman who sold bad ale
And hang her! she brought us all to jail,
Fol de rol lol de rol li do!
Now sessions are over, assizes are near,
Right fol lol de li de O!
Now Jack and I we must appear
Fol de rol lol de ri da!
Your bucks and your does may range so free
But hares and rabbits they are for me;
A poacher's life is the life for me!
Fol de rol lol de rol li do!
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Source: Lucy Broadwood and J A Fuller Maitland. 1893, English County Songs, Leadenhall Press, London
Notes:
Noted by the Rev. John Broadwood, before 1840.
"This song, though learnt in Sussex, is properly a Nottinghamshire song: see 'Thonehagh-Moor Woods' a celebrated Nottinghamshire Poacher's song, in Bell's Songs of Peasantry, p 214"
Roud: 222 (Search Roud index at VWML) Take Six
Laws:
Child: