As I did travel all on a journey
Over the wayside and under a dark moon
Hanging above a mountain,
I spied a young man riding a fine horse,
Chasing a white hart, and all through the woodland
Echoed the hunting cries.
And there followed after ten kings and queens,
Laughing and joking, the white hart they'd seen
Blooded, running into the bushes.
A plume to his helmet, a quiver and a bow,
There's nowhere to run now, there's no place to go
The hunter is fast and ready.
Still farther I journeyed through the hills and the valleys
Until upon the verge of despair I sat and rested.
And there did pass a princely knight pursued by a lady,
And this she did say:
"Oh may I ask you, good sir, where you are going?
And pray tell to me, sir, why you do hurry?
Strange that I should meet you here, oh come sit by me.
I have here a magic horn to deliver,
And one drop from this silver and gold horn I hold, sir,
Shall prove all to be false -- lovers, beware!"
"The gift that you bear for your brother the king
I gladly would carry to the banquet this even.
What fair sport this would be for the maidens at court."
Wearily I crossed a stream to the castle,
Where I found shelter from the cold wintry wind
And food did I have in plenty.
But the Lord and Lady seemed so sad,
For these words they did say unto each other:
"My good lord, all off to war in thy armor,
Leaving me here alone to weep and to worry.
Take care, lest misadventure
Shall overcome thy kindly heart.
My good lord, all off to war in thy armor."
"My lady, you have no need for to worry.
I'll return victorious and true unto thee.
Take care, lest misadventure
Shall stain your heart and lead to woe.
My lady, you have no need for to worry."
La, la, la la la, la la, la la, lalala la,
La, la la, la la, la lalala la la!
All underneath the spreading oak, a knight with white device
Upon a shield of black and deep in grief and sorrow sings
His unrequited love.
"Yon noblewoman riding by, pray tell me have you seen
Queen Isolde, the fairest maid in company she rides.
For I swear to have revenge."
A thousand days have come and passed, the Lord returned this night
A victor from the bloody wars, proven his fearsome might.
His honor he would claim.
But fate has played its wanton game, the circle come full turn.
The magic horn has done its work, their falseness is found out.
Good sir, your quest is over.
Hunting Song Lyrics performed by The Pentangle are property and copyright of the authors, artists and labels. You should note that Hunting Song Lyrics performed by The Pentangle is only provided for educational purposes only and if you like the song you should buy the CD