Popular Music Of The Olden Time Vol 1

Ancient Songs, Ballads, & Dance Tunes, Sheet Music & Lyrics - online book

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	346                                  ENGLISH SONG AND BALLAD MUSIC.
	The tune was introduced into the ballad-operas of Polly, The Lovers, The Qualcer^ Opera, Don Quixote in England, The Court Legacy, The Rape of Helen, ■ The Humours of the Court, The Oxford Act, The Sturdy Beggars, &c.; and the song is the prototype of many others, such as, " A bowling we will go," "A fish­ing we will go," "A hawking we will go," and "A hunting we will go." The last-named is printed in the sixth vol. of The Musical Miscellany, 8vo., 1731. It is still popular with those who take delight in hunting; and as the air is now scarcely known by any other title,* I have printed the words to the tune. In The Musical Miscellany it is entitled The Stag Chace, and there are twenty-nine verses; twelve are here omitted, being principally a description of the dogs, and a catalogue of their names; indeed, it is presum'd that seventeen stanzas will suffice.
	I leave my ted betimes, Before the morning's grey ; Let loose my dogs, and mount my horse, And halloo " come away ! " &c. The game's no sooner rous'd, But in rush the cheerful cry, Thro' bush and brake, o'er hedge and stake, The noble beast does fly, &c. In vain he flies to covert, A num'rous pack pursue, That never cease to trace his steps, Even tho' they've lost the view, &c.	Now sweetly in full cry Their various notes they join; Gods ! what a concert's here, my lads ! 'Tis more than half divine, &c. The woods, the rocks, and mountains, Delighted with the sound, To neighb'ring dales and fountains Repeating, deal it round, &c. A glorious chace it is, We drive him many a mile, O'er hedge and ditch, we go thro' stitch, And hit off many a foil, &c.