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 game keepers 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 ran
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 game keepers 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 game keepers lie sleeping

I took my knife all in my hand
So quickly for to paunch her
She was one of the female kind
How glad I was I'd 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 game keepers lie sleeping

Then I'll go down to some ale house 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"