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I am a bold undaunted fox that never yet was trapped or caught |
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My rent rates and taxes I was willing for to pay |
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I made me name on fine good land between Tipperary and Knocklong |
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Where my fore fathers lived and died 2000 years or more |
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I lived as happy as King Saul and loved my neighbours one and all |
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I had no animosity for either friend or foe |
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Until I was of late betrayed by one who was a bailiff |
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He told me I should leave the place and show my face no more |
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The day that he evicted me 'tis then I knew that I should flee |
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Late one night I tracked him down and left him lying low. |
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He fell victim to a shot - his agency was soon forgot |
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From that day on they're searching for Farmer Michael Hayes |
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Soon there was a great lookout by land and sea myself to rout |
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From Dublin Quay to Belfast along the raging sea |
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By telegraph they did insert a great reward for my arrest |
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My figure size and form and my name without mistake |
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They broke their brogues a thousand pairs this great reward to obtain |
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Still their search was all in vain for farmer Michael Hayes |
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Around the coast they made a steer from Poolbeg Lighthouse to Cape Clear |
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Killarney Town and Sweet Tralee they then crossed into Clare. |
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When they landed on the shore they searched Kilrush from tip to toe |
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They searched the baths at sweet Lisdoon likewise Miltown-Malbay |
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Galway being a place of fame they thought 'twas there I might remain |
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Still their search was all in vain for I showed them all my tail. |
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They searched the train at Oranmore as it was leaving for Athlone |
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Every wagon car and coach they met along the road |
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Connemara being remote they thought twas there I might resort |
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But still they were at nothing... I gave them all leg bail. |
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In Swinford Town as I lay down I heard the dreadful cry of hounds |
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Which me set off for Charlestown through Knock and Castlebar |
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Passing Hagfield I called in and had a drink with Joe O'Broin |
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Which filled my heart with strength and speed whilst the hounds were getting slow |
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And as the moon began to shine I thought I'd make a foreign clime |
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And leave them all to search away for Farmer Michael Hayes |
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So to Dublin Town I made my way then to Cobh and America |
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Now I'm in the Land of Liberty and a fig for all my foes |
