D'ye Really Ken John Peel?

"Father, what do they say to what Grannie sings?"

Graves, mellowed with drink and the pleasant talk of hunting, picked up pen and ink from the table, and started to scribble

D'ye ken John Peel with his coat so gray,
D'ye ken John Peel at the break of day....

It did not take Graves long to finish his eulogy. Then, leaning back in his chair and taking up the familiar notes from the ancient tune, he sang his new song. Tears rolled down Peel's cheeks as he listened to this saga of his own hunt and the hounds he loved so well.

Yes, I ken John Peel and auld Ruby, too,
Ranter and Ring wood and Bellman true....

Then Graves, pleased with his work, laid pen aside and tapped his old friend on the shoulder.

"By Jove, Peel," he said in jocular fashion, "you'll be sung when we're both run to earth."