A Celebrated Nottinghamshire Poacher’s Song

IN Thornehagh-Moor woods, in Nottinghamshire,Fol de rol, la re, right fol laddie, dee;In Robin Hood’s bold Nottinghamshire,Fol de rol, la re da;

Three keepers’ houses stood three-square,And about a mile from each other they were;—Their orders were to look after the deer.Fol de rol, la re da.

I went out with my dogs one night,—The moon shone clear, and the stars gave light;Over hedges and ditches, and steylsWith my two dogs close at my heels,To catch a fine buck in Thornehagh-Moor fields.

Oh! that night we had bad luck,One of my very best dogs was stuck;He came to me both breeding and lame,—Right sorry was I to see the same,—He was not able to follow the game.

I searched his wounds, and found them slight,Some keeper has done this out of spite;But I’ll take my pike-staff,—that’s the plan!I’ll range the woods till I find the man,And I’ll tan his hide right well,—if I can!

I ranged the woods and groves all night,I ranged the woods till it proved daylight;The very first thing that then I found,Was a good fat buck that lay dead on the ground;I knew my dogs gave him his death-wound.

I hired a butcher to skin the game,Likewise another to sell the same;The very first buck he offered for sale,Was to an old hag that sold bad ale,And she sent us three poor lads to gaol.

The quarter sessions we soon espied,At which we all were for to be tried;The Chairman laughed the matter to scorn,He said the old woman was all forsworn,And unto pieces she ought to be torn.

The sessions are over, and we are clear!The sessions are over, and we sit here,Singing fol de rol, la re da!The very best game I ever did see,Is a buck or a deer, but a deer for me!In Thornehagh-Moor woods this night we’ll be!Fol de rol, la re da!