The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #160054   Message #3800717
Posted By: Speedwell
17-Jul-16 - 12:05 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: The Green Man (Royston Wood)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE GREEN MAN (Royston Wood)
Hi Einsetumadur

Thanx for posting this I'm a big fan of Young Tradition and its members and had not heard this particular song.

Having listened to the YouTube video several times this is the best I can do. The timing of the song suggests to me that it is a song sung to a Morris Dance but I can't be sure. This however would explain some of the lyrics about the Fool.

Best wishes.


Green Man

Gather you, gather you one and weary
And come and admire what you shall find
And the cold grey King he stands to the sacrifice
Spring is capering closer behind

And so it's follow the fool he stands and he jingles
Dancing the Green Man - for he is King
And it's bury your shame but the time it is dying
When Winter is dead then follows the Spring

And you who lie in the dark of the morning
It's you'll be first to see the Sun
And the fool will get up and shake his branches
The Green Man's game has just begun

And so we'll dance in a ring you children of Albion
Bound to the wind on every hand
And if scattered your old King is under the harrow
Then you will rise and take the land