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> Anne Briggs > Songs > Hills of Greenmor

The Hills of Greenmore / The Granemore Hare

[ Roud 2883 ; Ballad Index MorU042 ; Owen McMahon]

Terry Woods sang The Hills of Greenmore in 1970 on Steeleye Span’s first album, Hark! The Village Wait. This track was later included on at least seven Steeleye Span compilations. The sleeve notes commented:

A mighty song! But a little known one. This saga of hare hunt and its variant The Granemore Hare hail from around Keady in County Armagh. In the song the only one to get the rough end of the stick is the “pussy”. Do we detect a Monigan in the hunt? Ashley Hutchings: “This is Irish - Terry brought it in.”

The Irish Country Four sang The Granemore Hare in 1971 on their eponymous Topic album of songs, ballads and instrumental tunes from Ulster, The Irish Country Four. A.L. Lloyd noted:

The song was written by Owen McMahon of Tassagh, Co. Armagh, a great place for hunting the hare. The poet W.R. Rodgers, himself an Armagh man, says: “In our split community hare-hunting was the only social activity in which both Catholic and Protestant participated. Why? Because it was older than either faith. Its roots ran back to prehistoric times.” Arrian of Nicomedia, eighteen centuries ago, wrote: “There would never have been a hare coursed in Greece had not the first hound been brought from Ireland.” Beagle hound, no doubt. Hares are chased on foot, with beagles, according to strict ritual, and with no pink-coated snobbery. A common folks’ sport, giving rise to common folks’ songs, and all the better for it.

Anne Briggs recorded Hills of Greenmor in 1973 but the ensuing album was shelved only to be released in 1996 as Sing a Song for You. She noted:

A Northern Irish song which I feel justified in singing as my mother came from Derry. It should be the Green Hills of Keady nor Kielder as I sing it. “Puss” is a local idiom for a hare. It’s probably a fox hunt (i.e. no horses) that is celebrated in the song. I like the visual image of “dogs black and yeller and dogs black and white” flowing across the landscape.

Brian Dewhurst with Tom Tiddler’s Ground sang The Hills of Greenmore in 1975 on their Folk Heritage album The Hunter and the Hunted. He noted:

I remember hearing this song while I was still at school. I had been out coursing hares around Scorton near Garstang with some friends. We were waiting for the bus to take us home when two men asked if we would sell them a hare. They gave us five shillings and one started to sing. I did not remember the words but the tune stuck. I got this set of words from Brian Anderton of Ormskirk.

Dick Gaughan sang The Granemore Hare on his 1977 Highway / Trailer album Kist o’ Gold. He noted on his now defunct website:

A song about hunting from the point of view of the hunted. There is a whole tradition in Ireland of songs about animals possessing the power of speech and other magical attributes. I learned this from Tommy Sands.

Al O’Donnell sang The Granemore Hare in 1978 on his Transatlantic / The Leader Tradition album Al O’Donnell 2.

Patsy Flynn sang The Grangemore Hare to Keith Summers, Jenny Hicks and Willie Clerkin in the latter’s cottage near Magheraveely on 4 August 1980. This recording was included in 2014 on the Musical Traditions anthology of “football, hunting and other traditional songs from around Lough Erne’s shore” collected by Keith Summers, The Hardy Sons of Dan. Rod Stradling noted:

Sam Henry published a version of this song—as The Hare of Kilgrain—in 1924, from the singing of William Sloan, from Dundooan, Co Donegal. Peter Kennedy recorded it for the BBC from Jimmy McKee, in Armagh, in 1952, as The Granemore Hare, as did Robin Morton from Frank Mills, of Milltown, Co Tyrone. It would seem to be an Armagh song, given the mention of Keady, and indeed, Granemore is a townland in the west of the parish of Keady.

Kevin Mitchell sang The Granemore Hare on his 1996 Greentrax CD I Sang That Sweet Refrain.

Martin Simpson sang Granemore Hare in 1999 on his live CD Bootleg USA and in 2007 on his Topic CD Prodigal Son.

Peter and Barbara Snape sang Granemore Hare on their 2008 CD Take to the Green Fields. Barbara Snape noted:

This Armagh hunting song was given to me many years ago by Tony Gibbons in Liverpool. The animal (the hare) takes centre stage as both observer and quarry, describing the hunt for her as it’s taking place. Sam Henry published a version as The Hare of Kilgrain in 1924. Peter Kennedy recorded it for the BBC in 1952 and the lovely singer Kevin Mitchell also sings a version.

James Yorkston sang Hills of Greenmor in 2009 on his CD Folk Songs.

Ciarán Boyle sang The Granemore Hare in 2012 on his Hallamshire Traditions CD Bright Flame. He noted:

I learned this from my late father Tommy. He was a fine singer. This is one of the first songs I learnt from him. i was inspired to sing this song again after many years when I saw a hare running whilst out on a walk in fields near my home.

This video shows Jon Loomes singing The Granemoor Hare in January 2015:

Niall Hanne, the grandson of Tyrone singer George Hanna, sang The Granemore Hare in 2017 on his CD Autumn Winds.

Daoirí Farrell sang The Hills of Granemore on his 2019 CD A Lifetime of Happiness. He noted:

In 2008 I recorded The Creggan White Hare for my debut album The First Turn Since then I have always wanted to record another hare song. The Granemore Hare or The Hills of Granemore is a beautifully sad song I learned from the singing of Al O’Donnell. In an article written by Joe McGleenan in 1984 for a booklet put out by St Mary’s GAA club in Granemore, it states that this song is about a particular hunt that took place in 1933 or 1934 and it is believed that this song originated in Joe and Pat Toner’s very house (I found this info online put up by John Moulden and brought to my attention by Jerry O ’Reilly from An Goilin singers club). I’ve been listening to Al singing since I was a boy and always loved his take on a song. I only ever met Al once in The Clé Club in Liberty Hall and I talked to him briefly about Liam Weldon as I was finishing up my thesis on Liam at the time.

Debra Cowan sang Hills of Greenmore in 2019 on her CD Greening the Dark. She noted:

Also known as The Granemore Hare. I first heard it on Steeleye Span’s debut album Hark! The Village Wait. Dave Mattack was very keen to do this one from the get-go saying that he always loved this song. DM did contribute to that LP back in 1970 and we decided to pay tribute to Steeleye with out version.

Francy Devine sang The Hound of Granemore on his 2020 album An Ownerless Corner of Earth. He noted:

I first heard this sung by Eugene McEldowney. I shared houses in Leeds with Derrynoose man Peter Loughran and developed an affection for the area and its people—the Mones, McCreeshes and McCluskeys. Peter drove machinery for Mone Brothers and I occasionally banked for him. Friday night pints after work revolved around pig prices and smuggling tales, local characters and their escapades, and memories drawn from the district’s lands and lore. Most of the boys had hunted—rabbits and birds for the pot and hares for the sport—and—although I have always opposed blood sports—their stories echo through this song in which the hare survives. It was written by Owen McMahon, Tassagh, County Armagh.

Janice Burns and Jon Doran sang The Greenmore Hare on their 2022 CD No More the Green Hills. They noted:

We find the last words given to the dying hare in this song particularly poignant, and struggle to imagine how such an empathetic verse could ever be sung triumphantly after a hunt. This is one of the songs Jon absorbed at some point in his life whilst growing up in a house full of folk music. The words we sing seem to be an unconscious amalgamation of Steeleye Span and Anne Briggs’ versions.

This video shows them in a concert at University of Leeds on 7 October 2022:

Lyrics

Steeleye Span sing The Hills of Greenmore

One fine winter’s morn my horn I did blow
To the green fields of Keady for hours we did go
We gathered our dogs and we circled around
For none loves the sport better than the boys in the dell.

And when we arrived they were all standing there
We set off for the fields, boys, in search of a hare
We didn’t get far till someone gave the cheer
Over high hills and valleys the sweet puss did steer

As we flew o’er the hills, ’twas a beautiful sight
There was dogs black and yellow, there was dogs black and white
As she took the black bank for to try them once more
Oh it was her last look o’er the hills of Greenmore.

In a field of wheat stubble this pussy did lie
And Rory and Charmer they did pass her by
And there where we stood at the top of the brae
We heard the last words that this sweet puss did say:

“No more o’er the green fields of Keady I’ll roam
Nor trip through the fields, boys, in sport and in fun
Or hear the long horn that your toner does play
I’ll go home to my den by the clear light of day.”

You may blame ol’ MacMahon for killing the hare
For he’s at his ol’ capers this many’s a year
On Saturday and Sunday he never gives o’er
With a pack of strange dogs round the hills of Greenmore.

Anne Briggs sings Hills of Greenmor

One fine winter’s morning my horn I did blow
To the green hills of Kielder for hours did go
We gathered our dogs and we circled around
For who loves the sport more than the boys of the town.

And when we arrived they were all standing there
We set off for the fields in search of a hare
We didn’t get far till someone gave a cheer
Over high hills and valleys the sweet puss did steer

As we flew o’er the hills, ’twas a beautiful sight
There was dogs black and yeller, there was dogs black and white
She took the black bank to try them once more
Oh it was her last lank for the hills of Greenmore.

In a field of wheat stubble this sweet puss did lie
And Rory and Charmer they did pass her by
And there where we stood at the foot of the brae
Oh, we heard the last words that this sweet puss did say:

“Oh, no more o’er the green hills of Kielder I’ll roam
No skip through the fields in sport and in fun
Nor hear the loud horn your toner does play
I’ll go back to my den by the clear light of day.”

You may blame MacMahon for killing the hare
He’s been at his ol’ capers this many’s a year
Well, Saturdays and Sundays he’ll never give o’er
With a pack of strange dogs round the hills of Greenmore.

Dick Gaughan sings The Granemore Hare

Last Saturday morning, the horns they did blow,
To the green hills round Tassagh the huntsmen did go
To meet the bold sportsmen from around Keady town,
For none loved the sport better than the boys from Maydown.

And when we arrived they were all standing there,
So we took to the green fields in search of the hare.
We had not gone far when someone gave a cheer:
Over high hills and valleys this ‘puss’ she did steer.

With our dogs all abreast and that big mountain hare,
And the sweet sounding music, it rang through the air.
Straight for the Black Bank for to try them once more
And it was her last sight round the Hills of Granemore.

And as they trailed on to where the ‘puss’, she did lie
She sprang to her feet for to bid them goodbye.
Their music, it ceased and her cry we could hear,
Saying, “Cursed be the ones brought you Maydown dogs here.”

“Last night as I lay content in the glen,
It was little I thought about dogs or of men.
But when going home at the clear break of day
I could hear the long notes that young Toner did play.

“And it being so early I stopped for a while,
It was little I thought they were going to meet Coyle.
If I had known that I’d have lain near the town
Or tried to get clear of those dogs from Maydown.

“And now I am dying, the sport is all done,
No more through the green fields round Keady I’ll run,
Or feed in the glen on the cold winter’s night,
Nor go home to my den when it’s breaking daylight.

“My curse on MacMahon for bringing Coyle here,
He’s been at his old capers for many’s the year.
From Friday to Sunday, he’ll never give o’er,
With a pack of strange dogs round the Hills of Granemore.”

Patsy Flynn sings The Grangemore Hare

On last Saturday morning our horns they did blow,
To the green fields of Tassagh our huntsmen did go.
For to meet the bold sportsmen from round Keady town,
None loved the sport better than the boys from Maydown.

Now when we arrived they were all standing there,
So we took to the green fields in search of a hare.
It was not very long ’til someone led a cheer,
Over high hills and valleys, this puss, she did steer.

With our dogs all abreast and this big mountain hare,
Sure the sweet charming music, it rang through the air.
Straight to the black bank for to try them once more,
This was her last sight round the hills of Grangemore.

These dogs they trailed on to where puss, she did lie;
Sure she sprang to her feet for to bid them good-bye.
Their music it ended, her cry we could hear,
Saying, “Bad luck to the ones brought you’s Maydown dogs here.

“For last night as I lay content in my den,
It was little I was thinking of dogs or of men.
Ah, but early this morning at the clear light of day,
I could hear the long horn that young Toner did play.

“Well, now that I’m dying, sure the sport it is done,
No more through the green fields of Keady I’ll run.
Nor feed in yonder valley on a cold winter’s night,
Or return to my den when it’s breaking daylight.

“I blame you MacMahon for bringing Coyle here,
You’ve been at this old caper for many’s a year.
Each Saturday and Sunday, you never give o’er,
Bringing packs of strange dogs round the hills of Grangemore.”

Daoirí Farrell sings The Hills of Granemore

One fine winter’s morning my horn I did blow,
To the green fields of Keady to hunt I did go.
We gathered our dogs and circled around,
Oh, for none loved the hunt better than the boys of Maydown.

And when we arrived they were all standing there,
So we took to the fields in search of the hare.
But we did not go far ’til someone gave a cheer,
Over high hills and valleys the wee hare did steer.

When she got to the heather she tried them to shun,
But the dogs they never missed her one inch where she ran.
They were kept well packed going over the hill,
They had set themselves on this wee hare to kill.

And it being quite early I stopped for a while,
’Twas little I thought they were going to meet Coyle.
For had I known that I’d have laid near the town
I’d have tried to get rid of those dogs of Maydown.

As we drew o’er the hill it was a beautiful sight,
There were dogs black and yellow and dogs black and white.
And she took to the black bank to try them once more,
Oh, and it was our last look on the hills of Granemore.

And as they grew near where the wee hare did lie,
She sprung up to her feet for to bid them goodbye.
But their music did cease and her cry we did hear,
Saying, “Bad luck to the ones brought the Maydown dogs here.”

In a field of wheat stubble the wee hare did lie
And Rory and Charmer did soon pass her by,
And there where we stood at the foot of the brae
I heard the last words that the wee hare did say:

“Oh no more o’er the green fields of Keady I’ll run
Or trip through the fields in sport or in fun,
For last night as I lay quite content in the glen
It was little my thoughts were of dogs and of men.

“And no more o’er the green fields of Keady I’ll roam
And now that I am dying the sport is all done,
Nor hear the long horn that Joe Toner does play,
Nor go home to my bed by the clear light of day.”

Oh you may blame old McMahon for bringing Coyle here,
He’s been at the same caper for many’s the year.
Every Saturday and Sunday he’ll never give o’er
With a pack of strange dogs round the hills of Granemore.

Francy Devine sings The Hound of Granemore

One fine winter’s morning my horn I did blow,
Through the green fields around Keady for hares we did go.
We gathered our hounds and we circled the ground
For none loves the sport better than the boys of Maydown.

And as when we arrived they were all standing there
We set off through the fields in search of a hare.
We had not got far till there came a loud cheer,
O’er high hills and valleys that wee puss did steer.

As she flew o’er the hills, whats a beautiful sight,
There were dogs black and yellow, and dogs black and white.
She took the black bank for to try ua once more
Ach it was her last night, boys, o’er the hills of Granemore.

In a field of wheat stubble that wee puss did lie
And Rover and Charmer they did pass her by.
And there as we stood at the top of the brae
We heard the last words this wee puss did say.

“No more through the green fields of Keady I’ll run,
Nor trip through the meadows for sport and for fun.
Nor hear the loud horn that Joe Toner does play,
I’ll go home to my fen by the clear light of day.”

You may blame Éoin MacMahon for fetching Coyle here,
He’s been at his oul capers this many’s a year.
On Saturdays and Sundays he ne’er does give o’er
With a pack of strange hounds round the hills of Granemore.

So, no more through the green fields of Keady I’ll tear
On fine frosted mornings in search of the hare.
A-twisting and tricking, she beat us the more,
But she gave us great sport, boys, round the hills of Granemore.

Acknowledgements

Steeleye Span’s version transcribed by Reinhard Zierke. Thanks to Bernard Leak for corrections.