Margaret, the fact that the song distinguishes a *fallow* deer makes me think it's yer actual deer, not a metaphor. "In any case, fallow can not mean pregnant." No, but the song *does* say the deer is "as great with child as she might go", i.e. heavily pregnant. So, Effsee, the mystery is: how can be leman/sweetheart of a slain night be a pregnant (presumably by him) deer?! That's what this thread is all about.