The Pursuit Of Farmer Michael Hayes Lyrics

Planxty The Pursuit Of Farmer Michael Hayes

The Pursuit of Farmer Michael Hayes (Brady & Irvine)
Plains of Kildare (Planxty with Christy Moore)

I think you might have got it mixed up: Plains of
Kildare - is on Brady and
Irvine CD.
The persuit of Farmer Michael Hayes is on Planxty's
"After the Break".

Here are the lyrics for "The Pursuit...." as I copies
them out of Christy
Morr's songbook:

I am a bold undaunted fox that never yet was trapped or
caught
My 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 lives as happy as King Saul and loved me neighbours
one and all,
had no animosity for either friend or 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 , its then I knew that I
should flee,
Late one night I took his life and left him lyin' 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,
Its they were hungry, wet and cold before the break of
day.
You may roam the world both far and near but never such
a tell 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 bein' remote, they thought 'twas there I
might resort,
As they were gettin' weary they resolved to try Mayo.

In Ballaghadereen they had 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 me 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
Americay;
Now I'm in the land of liberty, a fig for all my foes.