I keep my dogs and I keep my ferrets,
I have them in my keeping
To catch those hares that run by night,
While the gamekeepers lie sleeping
My dogs and I went out on a cold night For to view the habitation
Up jumped a hare and away she did run Straight into a plantation
I keep my dogs and I keep my ferrets,
I have them in my keeping
To catch those hares that run by night,
While the gamekeepers lie sleeping
She had not gone a long way in When something caught her running
So loudly then I heard her cry For she knew the dogs were coming
I keep my dogs and I keep my ferrets,
I have them in my keeping
To catch those hares that run by night,
While the gamekeepers lie sleeping
I took my knife,
all in my hand So quickly for to paunch her She was
one of a female kind How glad I was I caught her
I keep my dogs and I keep my ferrets,
I have them in my keeping To catch those hares that run by night,
While the gamekeepers lie sleeping
Then I'll go down to some alehouse near And I'll drink that hare
quite mellow I'll spend a crown and a merry crown too And say
I'm a right good fellow I keep my dogs and I keep my ferrets,
I have them in my keeping