When I was bound apprentice in famous Lincolnshire,

Full well I served my master for more than seven years.

Till I took up to poaching, as you shall quickly hear.

Oh, ’tis my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year.

 

As me and my companions were setting of a snare,

‘Twas then we spied the gamekeeper, for him we dld not care.

Far we can wrestle and fight, my boys and jump out anywhere.

Oh, ’tis my delight on a shiny 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 a hare alive my boys, and through the woods did steer.

Oh, ’tis my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year.

 

I threw him on 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 shiny night in the season of the year.

 

Success to ev’ry gentleman that lives in Lincolnshire.

Success to every poacher that wants to sell a hare.

Bad luck to ev’ry gamekeeper that will not sell his deer.

Oh, ’tis my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year.

Traditional