The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #62837   Message #1017002
Posted By: GUEST,MCP, Lyr Add
11-Sep-03 - 12:04 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: College Valley Hunt
Subject: Lyr Add: COLLEGE VALLEY HUNT (from Johnny Handle)
I'm surprised this hasn't been done before. Here's the version as sung by Johnny Handle. I've removed some of the obvious dialect pronounciation, but give the list (I hope complete) at the end if you wish to reinstate them.

Mick



COLLEGE VALLEY HUNT

On the 25th of October Nineteen Hundred and Forty-three
I'll give you all particulars if you'll listen unto me
The hounds from the College Valley their appointments to fulfil
They cast away o'er Yeavering Bell, bold Reynard's blood to spill

Chorus:
Tally-ho, Hark away.
Tally-ho, Hark away.
Success to the College Valley Hunt.
O, Hark, hark away.


Now at ten o'clock that morning they reached the Yeavering Bell
And the searched the ground all over but they couldn't find a smell
Til the celebrated Rosabelle, she found her favourite hole
And she turned her head unto the pack, right loudly she did bawl.

Now these hounds was called together with speed I do declare,
And by their head bold Sheila she drove Reynard from his lair
He headed North with all his might, but he got a big surprise:
For to meet a maiden in a field so early dazzled Reynard's eyes.

Now these hounds ran out so gallantly, they ran them by the mill,
With loud cries and energies, brave Reynard's blood to spill.
The hunters being far behind they thought their day was done,
But they met the hounds returning with two foxes instead of one.

Now these animals they did their best their precious lives to save
But knowing that the race was run they prepared for their grave
Death was their fate, they both did own, dispute it if you can
For they killed one at the Cuddy Stane and the other at the Hoolith Crag.

So let's drink a glass to the College lads and pass the bottle round
O'er lofty hills and mossies now their melodic voices sound
These lads is famed throughout the land for the hunting of the hound
From the Glendale to the Carter Bar no equal can be found.


Source: Johnny Handle singing with The High Level Ranters on LP The Lads of Northumbria

Changes I've made:
v1.2: ye's -> you
v1.2: ye'll -> you'll
v2.2: soorched -> searched
v2.4: torned -> turned
v2.4: heid -> head
v3.2: heid -> head
v5.2: knaaing -> knowing
v5.3: ye -> you
v5.4: yane -> one
v6.4: nae -> no

I've left stane (stone) in Cuddy Stane as a place name.