They.... Say that forty gallant poachers
there was in a Mess;
They 'ad often been attacted
when the number it was less.

Chorus
So poacher bold, as I unfold,
keep up your gallant heart,
And think about those poachers bold,
that night at Rofut (Rufford) Park.

A buck or do, believe it so,
a pheasant or an 'are
Was sent on earth for ev'ry one
quite equal for to share.

Chorus

The keepers they begun the fight
With stones and with their flails,
But when the poachers they started to fight
They quickly turned their tails.

The next verse of which Mr. Taylor cannot remember the form, tells fo a head-keeper, named Roberts, being killed. Mr Taylor says the song is founded on fact.

Percy Grainger
From the Journal of British Folk Song Society

Can anyone else complete this?

Submitted by Arthur Wright
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