Raynard The Fox

On the first day of spring in the year Ninety-Three
The chief recreation was in this country
The King's county gentlemen o'er whose dales and rocks
They rode out so jovially in search of the fox

[Refrain]
Tally-ho, hark away, tally-ho, hark away
Tally-ho, hark away, me boys, away

When Reynard was started he faced Tullamore
Then Arklow and Wicklow along the sea shore
We kept his brush in view every yard of the way
And straight he steered a course through the streets of Rosscrea

[Refrain]
Tally-ho, hark away, tally-ho, hark away
Tally-ho, hark away, me boys, away

But Reynard, sly Reynard, lay hid there that night
They swore they would watch him until the daylight
But early next morning, the hills did resound
With the echo of the horn and sweet cry of hounds

[Refrain]
Tally-ho, hark away, tally-ho, hark away
Tally-ho, hark away, me boys, away

When Reynard was started, he faced to the hollow
Where none but the hounds and the footmen could follow
The gentlemen cried "Watch him!"
What shall we do?
Well, if the rocks don't stop him, he will cross to Killaloe

[Refrain]
Tally-ho, hark away, tally-ho, hark away
Tally-ho, hark away, me boys, away

When Reynard was taken, his wishes to fulfill
He called for ink and paper and a pen to write his will
And what he made a mention of, they found it no blank
For he gave them a cheque on the National Bank

[Refrain]
Tally-ho, hark away, tally-ho, hark away
Tally-ho, hark away, me boys, away

To you, Mr Casey, I give my whole estate
And you, young O'Brien, my money and my plate
I give to you, Sir Frances, my whips, spurs and caps
For you crossed walls and ditches and you ne'er looked for a gap

[Refrain]
Tally-ho, hark away, tally-ho, hark away
Tally-ho, hark away, me boys, away
Tally-ho, hark away, tally-ho, hark away
Tally-ho, hark away, me boys, away
Tally-ho!