The Pursuit Of Farmer Michael Hayes

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I am a bold undaunted fox
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That never yet was trapped or caught
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My rent, rates and taxes I was willin' for to pay
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I made me name in fine good land
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Between Tipperary and Knocklong
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Where my forefathers lived and died
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Three thousand years ago

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I lived as happy as King Saul
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And loved me neighbours one and all
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Had no animosity for either friend or foe
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Then I was of late betrayed
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By one who was a fool I know
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He told me I should leave the place
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And show my face no more

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The day that he evicted me
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Its then I knew that I should flee
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Late one night I took his life
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And left him lying low
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He fell victim to a shot
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His agency was soon forgot
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From that day on they're searching
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For farmer Michael Hayes

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Soon there was a great lookout
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By land and sea myself to rout
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From Dublin Quay to Belfast
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Along the ragin' sea
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By telegraph they did insert
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A great reward for my arrest
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Me figure, size and form
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Me name without mistake

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They broke their brogues a thousand pairs
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This great reward for to obtain
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Still their search was all in vain for farmer Michael Hayes

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They searched Tipperary o'er and o'er
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The cornfields near Galtymore
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They then went into Wexford town
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But did not long delay
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Through Ballyhale and Stranemore
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They searched the woods as they went on
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Its they were hungry, wet and cold
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Before the break of day

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You may roam the world both far and near
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But never such a tell you'll hear
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Of a fox to get away so clear
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As I did from them hounds

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They searched the rocks, the gulfs, the quays
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The ships, the liners in the bays
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The ferryboats and steamers
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As they were goin' to sea

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Around the coast they made a steer
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From Poolbeg lighthouse to Cape Clear
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Killarney town and sweet Tralee
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They then crossed into Clare
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When they landed on the shore
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They searched Kilrush from tip to toe
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They searched the baths at sweet Lisdoon
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Likewise Milltown Malbay

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Galway bein' a place of fame
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They thought 'twas there I might remain
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Still their search was all in vain for I gave them all leg bail

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They searched the train at Oranmore
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As she was leavin' for Athlone
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Every wagon, car and coach
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They met along the road

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Connemara bein' remote
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They thought 'twas there I might resort
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As they were gettin' weary
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They resolved to try Mayo

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In Ballaghadereen they had to rest
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Until the hounds they were refreshed
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They then went on to Westport
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And searched it high and low

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Through Castlebar they made a trot
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When they heard I was in Castlerock
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Still they were deluded
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Where I lodged the night before

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In Swinford town as I lay down
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I heard a dreadful cry of hounds
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Which filled me with the notion
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To retaliate me chase

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Being weary from the road
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I took a drink at half past four
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Which filled me heart with strength and speed
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When the hounds were gettin' slow

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As the moon began to shine
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I thought I'd make a foreign clime
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Leave them all to search away
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For farmer Michael Hayes

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To Dublin town I made my way
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And then to Cobh and Americay
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Now I'm in the land of liberty
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A fig for all my foes