Reynard The Fox

[jtul07]

I wanted to hear this song for years but have not been able to find it on cd.

This may be an instrumental based upon an old children's fable.
www.1911encyclopedia.org/Reynard_The_Fox

[Deleted]

It is not an instrumental, as Ian introduces the song I think he says something about the fox getting in the end

[Deleted]

here's fairports version

[Deleted]

it is on the Clasping At Weathercocks bootleg

[Deleted]

It is a traditional folk song. I think of was played right after Ian introduced Peggy and the band

[Deleted]

i uploaded it for the board

[jtul07]

Ye gentlemen of high renown, come listen unto me
That takes delight in fox hunting by every degree
A story I will tell to you, concerning of a fox
Near royston woods and mountains high and over stony rocks
Bold Reynard, being in his hole and hearing of these hounds
Which made him for to prick up his ears and tread upon the ground
"Methinks me hears some jubal hounds a-pressing upon the life
Before that they should come to me, I'll tread upon the ground"

We hunted for four hours or more through parishes sixteen
We hunted for four hours or more and came by Parkworth Green
"Oh, if you'll only spare my life, I promise and fulfill
To touch no more your feathered fowl or lambs on yonder hill"
Bold Reynard, spent and out of breath and treading on this ground
Thinking he must give up his life before these jubal hounds
"So here's adieu to ducks and geese, likewise to lambs also"
They've got poor Reynard by the slabs and will not let them go

Read more: FAIRPORT CONVENTION - REYNARD THE FOX LYRICS www.metrolyrics.com/reynard-the-fox-lyrics-fairport-convention.html#ixzz1dzsZRf97
Copied from MetroLyrics.com
Bridget the Tull Beagle loves this song too.

[jtul07]

Since 2004 Fox Hunting has been banned in many areas of the U.K.

This is very controversial to many people.

I wonder what Reynard would say?

[Nonfatman]

Nov 17, 2011 15:29:55 GMT -5 @tulltapes said:

i uploaded it for the board

Thanks for posting that Erin....I hadn't heard it in ages.

Jeff

[Deleted]

There are a lot of old English folk songs that I've found really beautiful, but when I listen to what they're singing about, it's fox hunting. It's really funny because I can sense this incredibly passionate singing and words, but yet it's about f*^&in fox hunting.

Great upload, Tulltapes! Thanks so much. It's really cool to here more songs from the wood-style capella. Awesome upload.

[Morthoron]

Here is the studio version of "Reynard the Fox" from Fairport Convention's Tippler's Tales album (1978):



There is also an even better version on Fairport's great live album In Real Time (1987), but I couldn't find that one on YouTube. It's worth noting that Dave Pegg sang on both the Fairport and Tull versions of the song.

[jtul07]

A 1968 version of "Reynard The Fox" by Sweeney's Men.


Info from Irish Rock.org.
www.irishrock.org/irodb/bands/sweeneysmen.html

Reynard the Fox

On the first day of March in the year of ninety-three
The first recreation was in this country
The King's County gentlemen o'er hills, dales and rocks
They rode so joyfuly in search of a fox

Tally-ho, hark away, tally-ho hark away
Tally-ho, hark away me boys away, hark away

When Reynard was started he faced Tullamore
And Arklow and Wicklow along the sea shore
We kept his brush in view every yard of the way
And it's straight he made his course for the street of Rosstrade

For Reynard, sly Reynard lay hid there that night
And we swore we would watch him until the daylight
Next morning early the hills did resound
Of the sweet smell of horses and the sweet cry of hounds

When Reynard was started he faced to the hollow
Where none but the footmen and hounds they could follow
The gentlemen cried "Watch him, watch him, what will he do?
If the rocks do not stop him he will cross Killaloe"

When Reynard was captured his wishes to fulfill
He sent for pen and paper and ink to write his will
And what he made mention of, we found it no thank
For he gave us a cheque on the National Bank.

"Oh to you, Mr Casey, I leave my whole estate
And to you, Mr Johnson, my money and my plate
I give to you, Sir Monaghan, my whips, spurs and cap
For you jumped hedge and ditches and ne'er looked for a gap."

[flutestobranches]

Thanks for sharing the Sweeney's Men version, Jim! I love this song, and have seen Fairport play it live (back in 1995, eek! Time flies). It is always interesting to see how different performers iterpret these traditional folk tales/songs.