O it's of a young squire near Tamworth we hear
He courted a nobleman's daughter so fair
And he promised for to marry her and it was his intent
All friends and relations they gave their consent

The time was appointed for the wedding day
A young farmer was chosen to give the bride away
But as soon as the lady the young farmer did espy
It overthrew her heart "O my heart!" she did cry

And then she turned from the squire and nothing she said
Instead of getting married she took to her bed
The thoughts of the farmer so ran in her mind
That a way for to have him she quickly did find

Coat waistcoat and trousers she then did put on
And off she went a'hunting with her dog and gun
She hunted all around where the farmer he did dwell
Because in her heart she lovéd him so well

Well she often times fired but nothing could she kill
'Til at length the young farmer come into the field
To converse with him it was her intent
So with her dog and gun to meet him then she went

"O I thought you would be at the wedding" she cried
"To wait on the squire and give to him his bride"
"O no sir I'd rather take a sword all in my hand
By my honour I would gain her if ever she command"

Well the lady was pleased for to find him so bold
And gave to him a glove that was floweréd with gold
She told him she had found it as she came along
As she was a'hunting with her dog and gun

And then the lady went home with her heart full of love
And she gave out a notice that she had lost her glove
"And the man that shall find it and bring it unto me
No matter who he is my husband he shall be"

Well the farmer was pleased when he heard of the news
And straight to the lady with her glove he goes
Saying "Dear and honoured lady it was I picked up your glove
I hope that you are pleased and will give to me your love"

"O it's already granted" the lady replied
"It's already granted and I will be your bride
I'll be mistress of the dairy and go milking my cow
While the jolly farmer is whistling at the plough"

Now when they were married she told him of the fun
Of how she went a'hunting with her dog and gun
And now she's got him so fast in her snare
She'll love him forever I vow and declare

© traditional arranged Chris Foster