Thorneymoor Woods (Briggs Anne)

In Thorneymoor Woods in Nottinghamshire, Thorneymoor Woods in Nottinghamshire, Three game-keepers' houses stood three-square, About a mile from each other they were Orders they were to look out for the deer. Fol de rol, tora lie day Now me and me dogs went out one night The moon and the stars were shining bright O'er hedges and ditches, fields and stiles With my three dogs trotting close by me heels, To catch a fat buck down in Thorneymoor fields. Fol de rol, tora lie day That very first night we had bad luck, One of me very best dogs got shot He come to me all bloody and lame Right sorry I was for to see the same And not being able to follow the game. Fol de rol, tora lie day I searched his wounds and found them slight 'Twas done by a game-keeper out of spite Well I'll take a stick right tight in me hand I'll search the woods till I find that man I'll thrash his old hide right well if I can Fol de rol, tora lie day Now I come home and I went to bed Limping Jack went out in me stead O'er hedges and ditches, fields and stiles He found a buck lying on the ground My little dog has gave him the death-wound. Fol de rol, tora lie day And Limping Jack he cut the buck's throat Tied his legs with good stout rope And I had a laugh to see Limping Jack Up in a lane with that buck on his back Carried it just like a pedlar's pack Fol de rol, tora lie day Now we got us a butcher to skin the game Likewise another to sell the same And the very first joint as we offered for sale Was to an old girl she sold bad ale She had us young lads up in Nottingham gaol Fol de rol, tora lie day In Nottingham assizes are you and I Us three young lads we go to be tried But the magistrate laughed her all to scorn He says the old bugger should be forsworn Into little pieces torn Fol de rol, tora lie day In Nottingham assizes are gone and past Us three young lads go free at last The bucks and the does will never roam free A poacher's life is the life for me A poacher I will always be Fol de rol, tora lie day