Reynard the Fox

[Verse 1]
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

[Verse 2]
I kept myself on all these fine things
Not thinking soon that I should die
Chased by a pack of bloody hounds
They caused me my country to fly

[Verse 3]
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

[Verse 4]
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

[Verse 5]
And it's down for the stoney valleys I run
And the bloody dogs they followed me
Made my old coat stand on end
For to hear the bold huntsman, his loud "Hussa!"

[Verse 6]
And its often times I have been chased
By the dogs that run I don't know how
In the whole course of my life
I never had such a chase and half until now

[Verse 7]
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 apace

[Verse 8]
And it's down by farmer Stewart's I run
And the keeper shot me in my thigh
Curse you, huntsman, and your hounds
For this fatal wound; I know that I shall die

[Verse 9]
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 they tore him
And they caused his own fur jacket all to fly

[Verse 10]
And it's now bold Reynard's he is dead
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