Hares on the Mountains
Version 1
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Lesley Nelson>
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Lyrics
This tune was popular in the West of England. Printed versions appear in a songbook by Cecil Sharp (1903). Variants include:

The tune Blackbirds and Thruses is sometimes attributed to Irishman Samuel Lover (1797-1865) because it is included in his novel Rory O'More.

The two Sharp melodies are similar and follow the same pattern. Version 1 is young women seeking men and version 2 is the opposite.

If all those young men
Were as hares on the mountain,
Then all those pretty maidens,
Would get guns, go hunting.
With ri fol de dee,
Cal al de day
Ri fol i dee.
If all those young men
Were as rushes a growing,
Then all those pretty maidens
Will get scythes, go a-mowing.
With ri fol de dee,
Cal al de day
Ri fol i dee.
If all those young men were
As ducks in the water,
Then all those pretty maidens
Would soon follow after.
With ri fol de dee,
Cal al de day
Ri fol i dee.
From Folk-Songs, Chanteys and Singing Games
Information From Folksongs of Britain and Ireland
See Bibliography for full information.