Rufford Park Poachers Lyrics & Chords By 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