Yorkshire Garland
 

The Bilsdale Hunt Song

 
Performed by:
John Greaves
Recorded in:
Harrogate
Recorded on:
28/01/2007
Recorded by:
Steve Gardham
Genre:
Sport
Keywords:
Foxes,
Hounds,
Hunting,
Landscape
 

Archival information

TYG:
18
Key:
C Major
Time Signature:
6/8
Roud id:
21173
Laws id:
Master title:
The Bilsdale Hunt Song
Places Cited:
Bilsdale,
Byland Abbey,
Eskerdale

Lyrics

1
Ye 'earty sons of chase give ear,
And listen to my song,
It's of a hunt with Bilsdale Hounds,
It's of a hunt with Bilsdale Hounds,
Which lately 'as been run.

Chorus:
An' a huntin' we will go, will go,
An' a huntin' we will go, brave boys,
An' a huntin' we will go.

2
On the eighteenth of November last,
It bein' that very day,
With all our upstanch 'ounds we went, x2
Ti cover straight away.

3
Up Eskerdale we did pursue,
Right to that lofty crag,
Our 'ounds gave mouth for certain truth, x2
That they were upon a drag.

4
We ran this drag across the moor,
Right onto Thorodale Rocks,
And at ten o' clock that varry day, x2
Unkille`d was our fox.

5
By Arden Hall and Coomb Hill Wood,
And Sunny Banks also,
Frae Peak Scar Gill to Murton Hill, x2
In spite of all their foes.

6
Up Cayd'le straight 'e took 'is flight,
To Boltby Hills so high,
Down the long plain Bold Rennie came, x2
We 'eard a jovial cry.

7
Through Cold Kirkby and Askerndale(?),
And Scawton Town 'e go,
By Playpit Post and Noble Duke, x2
This valiant fox did go.

8
To Tom Smith's Cross and Lea High Wood,
And Buttriss Wood full past,
Bi t' Byland Abbey and Crook Hill, x2
And Wattery Gates 'e passed.

9
Through Newburgh Park to Pond Beck Wood
And Oulston Wood 'e found,
All 'is skill 'e tried or 'e'd surely 'a died, x2
If 'e 'adn't gone ti ground.

10
It's twenty-five miles it was our chase,
We ran it in three hours space,
Our 'unters true that did pursue, x2
And Ah'll name them ivvery one.

11
There was Mr Walkington on 'is chestnut mare,
Charles 'Arrison on 'is bay,
Jonah Bulman, Leonard 'Eseltine, x2
Peacock and Clarke was there.

12
Come, sportsmen all, your glasses fill,
And let this toast go round.
Five couple of 'ounds of 'igh degree, x2
And the' viewed the fox ti ground.

Chorus
An' a huntin' we will go, will go,
An' a huntin' we will go, brave boys,
An' a huntin', tally-ho!