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 green woods shook

Then he's turned to the huntsmen and he's cried

Ride on my gallant huntsmen

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 huntsmen

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 huntsmen

When must I come again

For you should never want for

A fox to chase all over the glen