BANNERO (Reynardine)
(Muckram Wakes)

One night as late I rambled a mile below Bannero
I met a farmer's daughter all on the mountains high.
|: I said, "My pretty fair maid, your beauty shines so clear
And on the lofty mountains I'm glad to see you here." :|

She said, "Young man, be civil, my company forsake,
For to my great opinion I fear you are a rake.
And if my parents they should know, my life they will destroy,
For keeping of your company all on the mountains high." :|

"Indeed I am no rake brought up in Venus' train,
I'm seeking for concealment all from the judge's men.
|: Your beauty so enticèd me, I could not pass you by,
So with my gun I'll guard you all on the mountains high." :|

This pretty little maiden, she stood all amazed,
With eyes as bright as diamonds she did upon me gaze.
|: Her cherry cheeks and ruby lips they lost their former dye
She fell into my arms all on the mountains high. :|

I kissed her once, I kissed her twice, she came to me again
And said, "Young man, be civil and tell to me your name."
|: "Go you to yonder forest, my castle there you'll find.
I will be in my garden, and call for Reynardine." :|

Come all you pretty maidens, a warning take by me,
Be careful when you ramble and shun bad company.
For if you don't you'll surely rue until the day you die,
|: Beware of meeting Reynardine all on the mountains high. :|

BANNERO
(Craig Morgan Robson)

One night as late I rambled a mile below Bannero
I met a farmer's daughter all on the mountains high.
|: I said, "My pretty fair maid, your beauty shines so clear
And on these lofty mountains I'm glad to meet you here."

She said, "Kind sir, be civil, my company forsake,
For to my great opinion I fear you are some rake.
And if my parents came to know, my life they would destroy,
For keeping of your company all on the mountains high." :|

I said, "Fair maid, I am no rake brought up in Venus' train,
But I'm seeking for concealment all from the judge's men.
|: Your beauty so enticèd me, I could not pass you by,
And with my gun I'll guard you all on the mountains high." :|

This pretty little fair maid, she stood all amazed,
With eyes as bright as diamonds she did upon me gaze.
|: Her ruby lips and cherry cheeks they lost their former dye
She fainted in my arms there all on the mountains high. :|

I kissed her once, I kissed her twice till she came to again
And said, "Kind sir, be civil and tell to me your name."
|: "Go you to yonder forest, it's there you'll will me find.
For I'll be in my castle, inquire for Reynardine." :|

Come all you pretty fair maids, a warning take by me,
And never go night-rambling and shun bad company.
Unless you do you'll surely rue until the day you die,
|: Beware of meeting Reynardine all on the mountains high. :|

Craig Morgan Robson wrote in their liner notes:
One of a number of songs about Reynardine, a mysterious character who we suspect may be, if not a werewolf, then perhaps a were-fox! Folklorist Anne Cockburn tell us that the words come from the Reddish Manuscript, which started as the account book of a miller in Gonalston (north of Nottingham) and became the Reddish family's “day book” The book was started in 1789, but the song was included some time between 1800 and 1803. John Adams had the bright idea of setting the words to Verdi's Grenadiers' March and the resulting arrangement was performed by the splendid Muckram Wakes. We are grateful to John, Roger Watson and Roy Harris to help in tracking down the background to the song.