Lyrics & Knowledge Personal Pages Record Shop Auction Links Radio & Media Kids Membership Help
The Mudcat Cafesj



User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
Seany Lyr Req: Hunting Song (Pentangle) (4) Lyr Add: HUNTING SONG (from Pentangle) 26 Jan 01


Well, I had a listen last night, to two versions of the BBC album, Pentangle on Air

Some words are very hard to hear. I think I have improved on the other versions in some areas. Where I am in doubt, the words are in brackets. This version may actually differ slightly from the other version anyway as it was probably recorded at a different time.

As I did travel, all on a journey
Over the wayside and under a dark moon,
Hanging above the mountain.

I spied a young man, riding a fine horse,
Chasing a white hart. And all through the woodland
Echoed a hunting cry.

And there followed after, ten kings and queens,
Laughing and joking, the white hart they'd seen
Royalty, running through the bushes.

A plume to his helmet, a quiver and a bow.
There's nowhere to run now; there's no place to go
The hunter is fast and ready.

Still further I journeyed through the hills and the valleys
Until upon the verge of despair I sat and rested,
(And came across) a princely knight (that stood) by our Lady
And this she did say.

Oh may I ask you, kind sir, where you are going?
And pray tell to me, sir, why do you hurry?
Strange that I should meet you here,
Come sit by me.

I have here a magic horn to deliver,
And one drop from this silver and gold horn I hold sir,
Shall prove all to be false,
Lovers beware.

The gift that you bear for your brother, the King,
I gladly would carry to the banquet this even.
What (fair sport) this would be for the maidens at court.

Wearily, I cross(ed) the stream to a castle
Where I found shelter from the cold wintry wind
And food did I have in plenty
(But) the Lord and Lady seemed (so sad)
For these words, they did say unto each other.

My good Lord, all off to war in my armour,
Leaving me, here, alone to weep and to worry,
Take care less misadventure shall overcome thy kindly heart,
My good Lord, all off to war in my armour.

My Lady, you have no need for to worry,
I'll return victorious and true unto thee,
Take care less misadventure, shall stain your heart and lips (awhile)
My Lady, you have no need for to worry.

La, la etc.

Oh underneath a spreading oak, a knight with white device,
Upon a shield, (all black and deep), in grief and sorrow sings,
His unrequited love.

Young noble woman riding by, pray tell me have you see?
Queen Iselda, the fairest maid,
In company she rides, for I swear to have revenge.

A thousand days have come and passed,
The Lord returned this night,
A victor from the bloody wars
Proven, his awesome might
Iselda he would claim

But fate has played its wanton game
The circle gone full turn
The magic horn has done its work
Her falseness is found out
Good Sir, your quest is over.


Post to this Thread -

Back to the Main Forum Page

By clicking on the User Name, you will requery the forum for that user. You will see everything that he or she has posted with that Mudcat name.

By clicking on the Thread Name, you will be sent to the Forum on that thread as if you selected it from the main Mudcat Forum page.

By clicking on the Subject, you will also go to the thread as if you selected it from the original Forum page, but also go directly to that particular message.

By clicking on the Date (Posted), you will dig out every message posted that day.

Try it all, you will see.