As we were out a-hunting, One morning in the spring Both hounds and horses running well Made the hills and the valleys ring
But to our great misfortune No fox there could be found Our huntsmen cursed and swore but still No fox moved over the ground
And up spoke our master huntsman The master of the chase If only the devil himself come by We'd run him such a race
And up there sprung like lightning A fox from out of his hole His fur was the colour of a starless night And his eyes like burning coals
And they chased him over the valley And they chased him over the fields They chased him down to the river bank But never would he yield
And he's jumped into the water And he's swum to the other side And he's laughed so loud that the greenwoods shook Then he's turned to the huntsmen and cried
Ride on my gallant huntsman When must I come again For you should never want for a fox To chase all over the glen
And when your need is greatest Just call upon my name And I will come, and you shall have The best of sport and game
And the men looked up in wonder And the hounds run back to hide For the fox it changed to the devil himself Where he stood on the other side
And the men, the hounds, the horses Went flying back to town And hard on their heels come a little black fox Laughing as he ran
Ride on my gallant huntsman When must I come again For you should never want for a fox To chase all over the glen
And when your need is greatest Just call upon my name And I will come, and you shall have The best of sport and game
Ride on my gallant huntsman When must I come again For you should never want for a fox To chase all over the glen