The Hare's Lament

On the first of November on a bright autumn's day To the hills of Dromela I chanced for to stray I was feeding on green grass that grows on yon ground When my heart was set a beating by the cry of the hounds "Mush-a-ri tally-ho! Hark ye over hi-ho" "Hark ye over", cried the huntsman, "hark ye over hi-ho" They hunted me up and they hunted me down The bold huntsmen of Stratham on my tail sent the hounds Over highlands and lowlands moorlands also Over hedges and ditches like the wind I did go "Mush-a-ri tally-ho! Hark ye over hi-ho" "Hark ye over", cried the huntsman, "hark ye over hi-ho" There was Ringwood and Rouser they gave me a close brush But they soon found me hiding twas in the rush bush For better or worse I know I must die But I'll do my endeavor these hounds to defy "Mush-a-ri tally-ho! Hark ye over hi-ho" "Hark ye over", cried the huntsman, "hark ye over hi-ho" Then up steps the huntsman to end all my strife Saying let the hare go giver her play for her life Wouldn't it be far better you killed Raymond the fox Who killed all your chickens, fare hen and game cock? "Mush-a-ri tally-ho! Hark ye over hi-ho" "Hark ye over", cried the huntsman, "hark ye over hi-ho" And now I must die and I know not the crime To the value of sixpence I ne'er harmed mankind I ne'er was brought up for to rob or to steal Except for the croppings some tops of green kale "Mush-a-ri tally-ho! Hark ye over hi-ho" "Hark ye over", cried the huntsman, "hark ye over hi-ho" "Mush-a-ri tally-ho! Hark ye over hi-ho" "Hark ye over", cried the huntsman, "hark ye over hi-ho"