The Lincolnshire Poacher

When I was bound apprentice in famous Lincolnshire

'Twas well I served my master for nigh on seven years

Till I took up to poaching as you shall quickly hear

Oh, 'tis my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year.

As me and my companions was setting out a snare

'Twas then we spied the gamekeeper, for him we didn't care

For we can wrestle and fight, my boys, and jump from anywhere

Oh, 'tis my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year.

As me and my companions were setting four or five

And taking them all up again, we caught a hare alive

We caught a hare alive, my boys, and through the woods did steer

Oh, 'tis my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year.

We threw him over my shoulder, boys, and then we trudged home

We took him to a neighbour's house and sold him for a crown

We sold him for a crown, my boys, but I divven't tell you where

Oh, 'tis my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year.

Success to every gentleman that lives in Lincolnshire

(Alt. Bad luck to every magistrate)

Success to every poacher that wants to sell a hare

Bad luck to every gamekeeper that will not sell his deer

Oh, 'tis my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year.

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