Farmer Michael Hayes

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

I lived as happy as King Saul
And loved me neighbours one and all
I had no animosity for either friend nor foe
Then I was of late betrayed by one who was a fool I know
He told me I should leave the place and show me face no more.

The day that he evicted me
It's then I knew that I should flee
Late one night I took his life and left him lying low
He fell victim to a shot, his agency was soon forgot
From that day on they're searchin' for farmer Michael Hayes.

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

They broke their brogues a thousand pairs
This great reward for to obtain
Still their search was all in vain for farmer Michael Hayes
They searched Tipperary o'er and o'er,
The cornfields near Galtymore
They then went into Wexford town but did not long delay.

Through Ballyhale and Stranemore
They searched the woods as they went on
It's they were hungry wet and cold before the break of day
You may roam the world both far and near
But never such a tale you'll hear
Of a fox to get away so clear as I did from them hounds.

They searched the rocks, the gulfs
The quays, the ships, the liners in the bays
The ferryboats and steamers as they were goin' to sea
Around the coast they made a steer
From Poolbeg lighthouse to Cape Clear
Killarney town and sweet Tralee they then crossed into Clare.

When they landed on the shore
They searched Kilrush from tip to toe
They searched the baths at sweet Lisdoon
Likewise Milltown Malbay
Galway bein' a place of fame
They thought 'twas there I might remain
Still their search was all in vain for I gave them all leg bail.

They searched the train at Oranmore
As she was leavin' for Athlone
Every wagon, car and coach they met along the road
Connemara being remote, they thought 'twas there I might resort
As they were gettin' weary they resolved to try Mayo.

In Ballaghaderreen they has to rest
Until the hounds they were refreshed
They then went on to Westport and searched it high and low
Through Castlebar they made a trot when they heard I was in Castlerock
Still they were deluded where I lodged the night before.

In Swinford town as I lay down
I heard a dreadful cry of hounds
Which filled me with the notion to retaliate my chase
Being weary from the road, I took a drink at half past four
Which filled me heart with strength
And speed when the hounds were gettin' slow.

As the moon began to shine I thought
I'd make a foreign clime
Leave them all to search away for farmer Michael Hayes
To Dublin town I made my way and then to Cobh and Amerikay
Now I'm in the land of liberty and a fig for all my foes.