Black Fox

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 
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