The Lincolnshire Poacher

When I was bound apprentice in famous Lincolnshire,

Full well I serv'd my master

for more than seven year

Till I took up to poaching

as you shall quickly hear

Oh

tis my delight on a shining night

in the season of the year

As me and my companions was setting off a snare

Twas then we spied the gamekeeper-

-for him we did not care

For we can wrestle and fight

my boys, and jump o'er anywhere

Oh

tis my delight on a shining night, in the season of the year

As me and my companions were setting four or five

And taking on 'em up again

we caught a hare alive

We took the hare alive

my boys, and through the woods did steer

Oh

tis my delight on a shining night, in the season of the year

I threw him over my shoulder

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 did not tell you where

Oh

tis my delight on a shining night

in the season of the year.

Success to every gentleman that lives in Lincolnshire

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 shining night

in the season of the year.