Unknown - Reynardine Lyrics

REYNARDINE

One evening as I rambled, two miles below Permoy,
I spied a pretty fair maiden, all on the mountain high.
I said, "My pretty fair maiden, your beauty shines most clear,
And on this lonesome mountain, I'm glad to meet you here."

She said, "Young man, be civil; my company forsake,
For to my good opinion, I fear you are a rake,
And if my parents came to know, my life they would destroy,
For keeping of your company, all on the mountain high."

Oh no, my dear, I am no rake, brought up in Venus' train,
But I'm searching for concealment, all in the judge's men.
Your beauty has ensnared me, I can not pass you by.
And with my gun I'll guard you, all on the mountain high.

Her cherry cheeks and ruby lips, they lost their former dye
And she fell into his arms then all on the mountains high
He had not kissed her once or twice, when she came to again,
And modestly she asked him "Oh, sir, what is you name?"

Well if by chance you look for me, by chance you'll not me find
'Tis writ in ancient history, my name is Reynardine."
Sun and dark she followed him, his teeth so bright did shine
And he led her over the mountains, that sly bold Reynardine

So come all you pretty fair maidens, this warning take by me.
Never go a roving, and shun bad company,
For if you do, you'll surely rue until the day you die.
And beware of meeting Reynardine, all on the mountain high.


This version by John Roberts and Tony Barrand is recorded on
Dark Ships In the Forest, FSI-65.

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One evening as I rambled, two miles below Pomroy,
I spied a pretty fair maiden, on on the mountain high.
I said, "My pretty fair maiden, your beauty shines so clear,
And on this lonely mountain, I'm glad to meet you here."

"I'm glad to meet you here,
I'm glad to meet you here.
And on this lonely mountain,
I'm glad to meet you here."

"Young man, I pray, be civil; my company forsake,
For to my great opinion, I fear you are a rake,
And if my parents knew of this, my life they would destroy,
For keeping of your company, all on the mountain high.

Echo

I said, "Fair maid, I am no rake, brought up in Venus' train,
And seeking of concealment, all in the judge's name.
Your beauty has ensnared me, I can't the fact deny,
And with my gun I'll guard you, all on the mountain high."

Echo

I hadn't kissed her once or twice, when she came to again,
And modestly she asked me, "Ah, sir, what is you name?"
"If you go in yonder forest, my castle there you'll find.
'Tis writ in ancient history, they call me Reynardine."

Echo

I said, "My pretty fair maiden, don't let your parents know,
For if you do they'll prove my ruin or fatal overthrow.
And if you come to look for me, perhaps you'll not me find,
For I'll be in my castle, so call for Reynardine."

Echo

Come all you pretty fair maidens, a warning take by me.
Be sure you quit your rowdy ways, 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 mountain high.
Echo
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This version is by Joe Hickerson, learned from Margaret MacArthur
(F-LFR-100), from Fred Atwood (No. 11/12 (1981) of Country Dance
and Song) is recorded on FSI-75

A very nice expose of the ballad (Laws p15) and its mysteries
and literary connections (as well as some immoral suggestions and
moral inclinations) is given by Douglas DeNatale in Vol.39, No.1
(Jan. 1980) of Western Folklore. DC