Lyrics Rufford Park Poachers - Martin Carthy

They say that forty gallant poachers
They was in a mess
They had often been attacked
When the number it was less
So poacher bold as I unfold
Keep up your gallant heart
And think about the poachers bold
That night in Rufford Park
A buck or doe believe it so
A pheasant or a hare
Was put on earth for everyone
Quite equal for to share
So poacher bold as I unfold
Keep up your gallant heart
And think about the poachers bold
That night in Rufford Park
All among the gorse to settle scores
These forty gathered stones
To make a fight for poor men′s rights
And break those keeper's bones
So poacher bold as I unfold
Keep up your gallant heart
And think about the poachers bold
That night in Rufford Park
The keepers come with flails
Against poachers and their cause
But no man there would dare
To break the rich man′s laws
So poacher bold as I unfold
Keep up your gallant heart
And think about the poachers bold
That night in Rufford Park
The keepers they began the fight
With stones and with their flails
When the poachers started why
They quickly turned their tails
So poacher bold as I unfold
Keep up your gallant heart
And think about the poachers bold
That night in Rufford Park
All on the ground with a mortal wound
Head keeper Roberts lay
He never will rise up again
Till the final judgement day
So poacher bold as I unfold
Keep up your gallant heart
And think about the poachers bold
That night in Rufford Park
Of all the band that made their stand
That set a little snare
Just four were brought before the court
And tried for murder there
So poacher bold as I unfold
Keep up your gallant heart
And think about the poachers bold
That night in Rufford Park
The judge said "For Roberts' death
Transported you must be
To serve a term of fourteen years
In convict slavery"
So poacher bold as I unfold
Keep up your gallant heart
And think about the poachers bold
That night in Rufford Park
A buck or doe believe it so
A pheasant or a hare
Was put on earth for everyone
Quite equal for to share
So poacher bold as I unfold
Keep up your gallant heart
And think about the poachers bold
That night in Rufford Park