Steeleye Span - The Bold Poachers lyrics

Concerning of three young men One night in January According laws contrary A-poaching went straightway They were inclined to ramble Amongst the trees and brambles A-firing at the pheasants Which brought the keepers nigh The keepers dared not enter Nor cared the woods to venture But outside near the centre In them old bush they stood The poachers they were tired And to leave they were desired At at last young Parkins fired And spilled one keeper's blood Fast homeward they were making Nine pheasants they were taking When another keeper faced them They fired at him also He on the ground lay crying Just like some person dying With no a**istance nigh him May God forgive their crime Then they were taken with speed All for that inhuman deed It caused their hearts to bleed For their young tender years There seen before was never Three brothers tried together Three brothers condemned for poaching Found guilty as they stood Exiled in transportation Two brothers they were taken And the other hung as a token May God forgive their crime