Nic Jones - Reynard the Fox lyrics

You gentlemen who take delight In hunting bold Reynard the Fox: On yonder stoney common I lived And I had my dinner on the geese and ducks. I kept myself on all these fine things Not thinking soon that I should die, Chased by a pack of bloody hounds They causèd me my country to fly. Throughout the wild country I rambled And living at a fine old rate. On sheep and lambs I had my dinner And the farmers all around they did me hate. So the Lord for the King's hounds he did send and Jerry Balsam, he swore I should die. I left three brothers all behind That love young lambs much better than do I. And it's down for the stoney valleys I run And the bloody dogs they followed me; Made me old coat stand on end For to hear the bold huntsman, his loud "Hussa!" And its often times I have been chased By the dogs that run I don't know how; In the whole course of me life I never had such a chase and half until now. And it's forty-five miles I have run; I've run it in three hours space. Strength that begins all for to fail And the dogs they got forward on me a-pace. And it's down by farmer Stewart's I run And the keeper shot me in me thigh. Curse you, huntsman, and your hounds For this fatal wound; I know that I shall die. And it's down to the stoney fields where they caught him They caused poor Reynard's for to die. Lord, they dragged him and then they tore him And they caused his own fur jacket all to fly. And it's now bold Reynard's he is dead And they'll turn to the ale house and they'll dine. Dip his old paw in the bumper And drink me Lord's health in both ale and wine.