Lyr Req: Reynard the Fox (from June Tabor)

Subject: Lyr Add: REYNARD THE FOX (from R Vaughan Williams)
From: The_one_and_only_Dai
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 11:17 AM

I don't know June's version, but this was collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams (in North Oxon, I think).

Some gentlemen take great delight
In hunting bold Reynard the Fox.
On yon stony common I lived,
Where I lived upon fat geese and ducks.
I lived upon fat geese and ducks,
Never thinking so soon I should die.
I was chased by a pack of fresh hounds,
Which caused me my country to fly.

As through the wild country I ran,
I lived an extravagant rate.
Young lambs I did take for me living.
The farmers they all did me hate.
So, for my Lord's hounds they did send.
Jerry Blossom he swore I should die,
And I left two brothers behind me
Who loved young lambs better than I.

As through the wild country I rambled,
The bloodthirsty hounds did me follow.
It made my old coat stand on end
To hear how the huntsmen did holler.
I've many a time been surprised
By a dog that could run like a cow,
But in all the dark times of me life,
I've had air to me breathing, 'til now.

For forty-five miles I ran.
I ran it in five hours' space.
Oh pardon, dear huntsmen and hounds,
How sweetly you followed the chase.
It was near Simon Stewart's I ran,
Where the gamekeeper shot through my thigh.
Oh pardon, dear huntsmen and hounds,
It's by this fatal wound I will die.

It was in that field stony, the kill,
It was there I was forced to die.
The hound they did tear me to pieces.
They made me old jacket to fly.
So now you Bold Reynard have killed.
You may go to 'The Dolphin' and dine,
And dip my forefoot in a bumper,
And drink my Lord's health in good wine.

The spookiest of all the fox hunting songs. A 'full bumper' is a drinking vessel set aside for toasting the dead fox. The custom is to dip the quarry's severed foot in the toast before drinking. The Dolphin' is, of course, in Newport Pagnell. If anybody doesn't believe me, I'll be at the bar at 7.30, waiting for you to buy me a pint.

Subject: RE: Lyrics request: June Tabor stuff (old)
From: Allan C.
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 10:08 AM

Oops! reynard

Subject: RE: Lyrics request: June Tabor stuff (old)
From: Allan C.
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 10:06 AM

packrat, I don't know about the EXACT lyrics, but the DT is replete with versions of this song from which you can likely find the words you are hearing. Enter renard in the search box above.

Subject: Lyrics request: June Tabor stuff (old)
From: packrat
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 04:23 AM

on the ashes and diamonds album, june sings an old english (I'm guessing) song entitled "reynard the fox" I'm having difficulty determining the exact lyrics she uses for this one if anyone can help i greatly appreciate it the song starts: "a good many gentlemen take great delight in hunting bold reynard the fox...."