The Farmer Michael Hayes

I am a bold undaunted fox
That never was before on tramp
My rent and rate and taxes
I was willing for to pay
I made my den in fine good land
Between Tipperary and Ochlong
Where my forefathers lived and died
A thousand years or so

But then of late I was betrayed
By one who was a fool I know
He told me I should leave the place
And show me face no more
And soon as he evicted me
I thought it time that I should flee
So late one night I took his life
And left him lying low

By telegraph they did insert
A great reward for my arrest
My figure, size and form
And my name without mistake
They broke their brogues, a thousand pairs
This great reward for to obtain
But still their search was all in vain
For Farmer Michael Hayes

They searched Tipperary o’er and o’er
The corn fields near Galtymore
They went across to Wexford
But they did not long delay
By Ballyhill and Stridmore Strand
They searched the woods as they came on
Till they were hungry, wet and cold
At the approach of day

Then round the coast they made a steer
From Pulbeg lighthouse to Cape Clear
Kilarney town and sweet Tralee
They then crossed into Clare
And when they landed on the shore
They searched Kilrush from tip to toe
They searched the baths near sweet Lisdoon
Likewise Miltown Malbay

And Galway being a place of fame
They thought ’twas there I might remain
But still their search was all in vain
For I gave them all leg-bail
They searched the train at Oranmore
As she was starting for Drumore
And every carriage, car and coach
They met upon the road

Connemara being remote
They thought ’twas there I might resort
When they were getting weary
They resolved to try Mayo
In Swinford town as I sat down
I heard a dreadful cry of hounds
So I lay there in an manger
Till the approach of day

To Dublin town I made my way
And then to Cobh and Amerikay
And left the hounds to search away
For Farmer Michael Hayes
And as the moon began to shine
I thought I’d make a foreign clime
Now I’m in the land of liberty
And a fig for all my foes