Three Huntsmen - Andy Irvine video free download

Andy Irvine at Mighty Fine Guitars, Lafayette, CA, September 2012. A Vortex Production, filmed and edited by Jeff Peach.

Song lyrics graciously supplied by Patrick from 'AndyzFanz'.

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Three Huntsmen

New Words & Music: arr. Andy Irvine

It's of three huntsmen brave and bold as I have heard them say

They took five hundred guineas all on one market day

And as they rode home together o'er the Wicklow mountains high

Oh it's "Hold your horse!", cries Johnson, "for I hear a woman cry"

"I will not stop", says Wilson, "I will not stop", says he

"And nor will I stop", says Gilmore, "for robbed I am afraid we'll be"

But Johnson getting off his horse and searching the woods all round

Till he found a naked woman with her hair pinned to the ground

"O woman dear, O woman dear! How came you here for to span?

Who'd had brought you here on this May morning with your hair pinned to the ground?"

"It was three bold and struggling men with swords keen in hand

Who'd had brought me here this May morning with my hair pinned to the ground"

"But my father he's a wealthy man and your kindness he'll repay

My life I place all in your hands; protect me, Sir, I pray!"

Well Johnson being a man of his own being valiant, brave and bold

He took off the coat from off his back for to keep her from the cold

And Johnson getting on his horse the woman got on behind

They rode down that lonesome valley their fortunes for to find

And as they rode on along the way as fast as they could ride

She threw her fingers to her lips and she gave three shivering cries

Out sprang three bold and struggling men with swords keen in hand

Who commanded him to tarry commanded him to stand

"Well, I will stand!" says Johnson "I'll stand" then says he

"For I never was in all my life afraid of any three"

And Johnson killing two of them not minding the woman behind

As he was at the other one she stabbed him from behind

The day was free and a market day; the people all passing by

Could have seen this awful murder; could have seen poor Johnson die.

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