G D A Em
Seven hundred elves from out the wood
G D A Em
Foul and grim they were
G D A Em
Down to the farmer's house they went
G D A Em
His meat and drink to share
verse
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There was a farmer in the west and there he chose his ground
G D A Em G D A Em
He thought to spend the winter there and brought his hawk and hound
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He brought with him both hound and cock alone he begged to stay
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And all the deer that roamed the wood had cause to rue the day
verse
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He felled the oak, he felled the birch, the beech nor poplar spared
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And much was grieved the sullen elves at what the stranger dared
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He hewed him baulks and he hewed him beams with eager toil and haste
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Then up and spake the woodland elves: ``Who's come our wood to waste?â??'
Chorus x 2
verse
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Up and spake the biggest elf and grimly rolled his eyes:
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"We'll march upon the farmer's house and hold on him assize
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He's knocking down both wood and bower, he shows us great distain
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We'll make him rue the day he was born and taste of shame and pain.â??'
Chorus x 1
verse
G D A Em G D A Em
All the elves from out the wood began to dance and spring
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And marched towards the farmer's house their lengthy tails to swing
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The farmer from his window looked and quickly crossed his breast
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"Oh woe is me,'' the farmer cried, "The elves will be my guests.â??'
verse
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In every nook he made a cross and all about the room
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And off flew many a frightened elf back to his forest gloom
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Some flew to the east, some flew to the west, some flew to the north away
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And some flew down the deep ravine and there forever stay
Chorus x 3