THREE JOLLY HUNTSMEN

(trad.)


We three jolly huntsmen a-hunting off Cape Ann
And what we did find there I'll tell you if I can

We hunted and we hollered and the first thing we did find
Was Cape Ann's lighthouse, and that we left behind
One said it was Cape Ann's lighthouse, the other he said nay
The third said 'twas a sugar loaf with the paper torn away
With the paper torn away

Oh we hunted and we hollered and the next thing we did find
Was the moon in the firmament, and that we left behind
One said it was the heavenly moon, the other he said nay
The third said 'twas a Yankee cheese with a quarter cut away
With a quarter cut away

Oh we hunted and we hollered and the next thing we did find
Was a frog in the mill pond, and that we left behind
One said it was a handsome frog, the other he said nay
The third said 'twas a canary bird with the feathers blown away
With the feathers blown away

Oh we hunted and we hollered and the next thing we did find
Was a fox in the undergrowth, and that we left behind
One said it was a cunning fox, the other he said nay
The third said 'twas a sweeping brush with the bristles worn away
With the bristles worn away

Oh we hunted and we hollered and the last thing we did find
Was an owl in the bramble bush, and that we left behind
One said it was a wise old owl, the other he said nay
The third said 'twas the evil one, so we all three ran away
So we all three ran away

We three jolly huntsmen a-hunting off Cape Ann
And what we did find there I've told you all I can

notes: song history [Stephen Griffith]

recording: The Teacups (2020) [YouTube]

lyrics: Additional verses [Mudcat]

lyrics: Additional verses (more) [Mudcat]