Lyr Req: Hare's Lament

Subject: Lyr Req: Hare's Lament
From: Alice
Date: 02 Dec 98 - 09:11 AM

I need the lyrics to the song 'Hare's Lament'. It is in the Sam Henry Collection from Ulster, according to the CD notes on 'Midwinter Night's Dream' by Boys of the Lough. Already did a DT and a forum search, and didn't find it. Thanks.

alice in montana

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hare's Lament
From: Martin Ryan.
Date: 02 Dec 98 - 09:45 AM

Alice

Search DT on "Granemore" and "Greenmore". It may be the one you seek!

Regards

Subject: Lyr Add: HARE'S LAMENT
From: Alice
Date: 02 Dec 98 - 11:09 AM

Thanks, Martin, I am sure the songs are related, but the lyrics I need are from the words of the Hare as she is being hunted. The chorus is "With me right tally-ho, hark ye (or hark 'e) over high-ho, hark ye over cried the huntsman, hark ye over high-ho.

The first verse starts,

On the first of December, one fine winter's day
To the hills of (Dromena?) I chanced for to stray.
I was feedin' on the green grass that grows on yon ground,
When me heart was set a beatin' by the cry of the hounds.

CHO: With me right tally-ho, hark ye (or hark 'e) over high-ho,
Hark ye over cried the huntsman, hark ye over high-ho.

They hunted me up and they hunted me down,
The bold (something) all scattered on my trail said (or set?) the hounds
Over highlands and lowlands and moorlands also,
Over hedges and ditches like the wind I did go. CHO.

There was (a dog's name) there was Rouser, they gave me a close brush
But they soon found me hiding, 'twas in a rush bush.
For better or worse, now I know I must die,
But I'll do my endeavor, these hounds to deny. CHO.

Then up stepped the huntsman to end all me strife,
Sayin' let the hare down, give her favor for life,
Would it not be far better you'd kill Reynard the fox,
For he stole all your chickens, fat hens and game cocks. CHO.

For now I must die and I know not my crime,
For the value of sixpence I ne'er harmed mankind.
No, I never was brought up to rob or to steal,
Unless of the robbin' of some tops of green kale. CHO.

-------------

Well, I was able to get most of it from listening to the recording, but need a few words clarified. Anyone know this or have the book by Sam Henry?

alice in montana

Subject: Lyr Add: THE HARE'S LAMENT (from Henry Collection)
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 02 Dec 98 - 09:35 PM

Hi Alice!

Sad news for the Irish in Montana tonight. I have the Henry collection on my lap and I'm sorry to tell you that the printed text therein is not exactly the same as you have written above. To prove my point, the first verse and chorus are...

On the 26th of January, and in the 70th year,
The morning being beautiful, charming, bright and clear,
I being disturbed with dreams as I lay in my den,
I dreamed of heathery mountains, of high rock and low glen.

With my hark, tally ho! Hark over yon brow.
"She's over," says the huntsman, "and yonder she'll go."

I guess the note means that A VERSION of the song is in Henry. If it bothers you enough, send me a tape and I will get the words for you.

All the best,
Dan Milner

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 2-Oct-02.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hare's Lament
From: Alice
Date: 02 Dec 98 - 09:58 PM

Oh, dear. thanks, Dan. since I have the version from Boys of the Lough almost memorized, I am going to give another careful listen to it. Thanks alot for the additional information. There is something about singing the part of the little female hare that appeals to me... probably since most hunting songs like this are not written for a woman to sing. To quote the CD notes again

"THE HARE'S LAMENT. A traditional Boxing Day activity is the Hunt. Here Christy sings of hunting the hare, in a song from the Sam Henry Collection from Ulster. The song is unusual in being from the hare's point of view, expressing his thoughts on being close to being ripped apart [aaarrgg!!! -alice] by a pack of dogs. Christy learned the song from his brother Tim, who also contributed the idea for the arrangement."

I really like this CD. I got it last year at Christmastime. It is titled Midwinter Night's Dream, and has some, like the Christ Child's Lullaby, that are on other recordings by B of the L. Hey, I recommend it if any of you are looking for a good Christmas gift. Support the Mudcat and order it by clicking on the banjo/catfish graphic.

Thanks for your help, Martin and Dan.

alice flynn

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hare's Lament
From: Philippa
Date: 03 Dec 98 - 05:49 AM

re Sam Henry collection: "Songs of the People", edited by John Moulden I think published by Blackstaff Press, Belfast

When I get further details on the publication I'll put them on a thread

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hare's Lament
From: Philippa
Date: 03 Dec 98 - 06:15 AM

Sam Henry collection, info. from Ulstersongs website: Sam Henry's "Songs of the People": (ISBN 0 8203 1258 4): edited by Gale Huntington, Lani Herrman with contributions from John Moulden. (University of Georgia Press) HARDBACK and dust cover: £30.00 + £5.00 p&p PAPERBACK £11.00 + £4.00 p&p (Original price: (paperback) £27.00 (hardback) £54.00) Songs of the People was a series which ran from 1923 to 1939 in the Coleraine newspaper "The Northern Constitution". For twelve of those years the editor was Sam Henry who contributed upwards of 500 songs of high quality. Previously highly regarded but known only from scrapbook copies compiled by Sam Henry for the Belfast Public Library, The National Library of Ireland and the Library of Congress, this, the first book publication, has been presented with the music in staff notation, an introduction, notes and references and extensive indices. The basic collection for the North of Ireland.

Forthcoming: Songs of the People: Part Two: From 1928-1932 the newspaper series founded by Sam Henry was edited by others. This book, researched and designed by John Moulden, draws on the newspaper archive, the personal papers and memories of one of the collectors and incorporates additional local information. The plagiarism of one of the editors is proven and fully described.The roughly 100 songs, which were not pirated, were collected in Antrim, Derry and Donegal and are presented with musical notation, notes and references and even a few pictures. approx. 160 pages, Price approx. £12, publication intended 1998, more information later. (Ulstersongs, Portrush, N. Ireland)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hare's Lament
From: Alice
Date: 03 Dec 98 - 08:50 AM

Thanks, Philippa. I looked for this book a year ago with an inter-library loan search (US) and was told it was unavailable. Thanks for the update.

I think I have answered my own question (!) about the lyrics with more careful listening to the recording.

---------
The bold huntsmen all scattered, on my trail set the hounds
----------
There was Ringwood there was Rouser, they gave me a close brush
_________

alice

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hare's Lament
From: NightWing
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 06:43 PM

And there're answers to the questions you're asking here: Lyr Add: Hare's Lament ...

At least it answered a couple of questions I had. *L*

BB,
NightWing

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hare's Lament
From: Alice
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 08:09 PM

Night Wing, I made that thread after I started this one, including the MP3 there.

alice