Classic Poem

In Thorney Moor Woods in Nottinghamshire,
Fal the dal airol ay ti loddidy
Three keepers' houses stood at three square,
Fal the dal airol ay
Three keepers' houses stood at three square,
About a mile from each of them were,
With orders it was to look after the deer,
Ri fal the dal airol ay day.

So me and my mates went out that night,
With my two dogs close at my heels,
So me and my mates went out that night,
With my two dogs close at my heels,
To catch a fat buck in Nottingham fields.

The very first night we had bad luck:
Jack, my very best dog, got struck.
He came to me both bloody and lame
And sorry I was to see him the same;
He was not able to follow the game.

So I'll take my pikestaff in my hand,
I'll scour the woods till I find that man;
I'll take my pikestaff in my hand,
I'll scour the woods till I find that man,
Then I'll tan his hide right well if I can.

The very first thing that we found
Was a big fat buck nearly dead on the ground;
The very first thing that we found
Was a big fat buck nearly dead on the ground.
I know my dogs gid him his death wound.

I pulled out my knife and I cut the buck's throat,
I pulled out my knife and I cut the buck's throat,
And you'd have laughed to have seen Limping Jack
Go hopping along with the buck on his back;
He carried him like some Yorkshireman's pack.

We found a butcher to skin the game,
Likewise another to sell the same.
The very first joint we offered for sale
Was to an old woman who brewed bad ale,
That caused we poor lads in jail.

Assizes are opened and we are all here,
Assizes all over we're all clear.
The judges felt a sorrowful scorn
That such an old woman should be foresworn
And all into pieces she ought to be torn.