Hares on the Mountain is a centuries-old British folk song with a great history. I have a folk song book with an 1800s version in a major key and the man's lyrics, things like:
"Young women, they run like hares on the mountain... If I were but a young man I soon would run after..."
Shirley Collins is a modern British folk singer who recorded an edgier, minor-keyed, female perspective take on the song in the mid 1900s. As far as I can tell, this is the version that modern folk covers inspired by. Here is my transcription of her version and my cover video.
Hares on the Mountain
Capo 5 to match my video, capo 3 to match Shirley's recording
INSTRUMENTAL
Am x5
Am C G C E7
Oh Sally, my dear, it's you I'd be kissing.
Am C G C E7
Oh Sally, my dear, it's you I'd be kissing.
F C E7 Am
She smiled and replied, "You don't know what you're missing."
INSTRUMENTAL
Am x5
Am C G C E7
Oh Sally, my dear, I wish I could wed you.
Am C G C E7
Oh Sally, my dear, I wish I could bed you.
F C E7 Am
She smiled and replied, "Then you'd say I misled you."
INSTRUMENTAL
Am x5
Am C G C E7
If all you young men were hares on the mountain.
Am C G C E7
If all you young men were hares on the mountain.
F C E7 Am
How many young girls would take guns and go hunting?
INSTRUMENTAL
Am x5
Am C G C E7
If the young men could sing like blackbirds and thrushes.
Am C G C E7
If the young men could sing like blackbirds and thrushes.
F C E7 Am
How many young girls would go beating the bushes?
INSTRUMENTAL
Am x5
Am C G C E7
If all you young men were fish in the water.
Am C G C E7
If all you young men were fish in the water.
F C E7 Am
How many young girls would undress and dive after?
INSTRUMENTAL
Am x5
Am C G C E7
But the young men are given to frisking and fooling.
Am C G C E7
But the young men are given to frisking and fooling.
F C E7 Am
So I'll leave them alone and attend to my schooling.
INSTRUMENTAL
Am x5