The Cutty Wren
Chumbawamba [1988 - English Rebel Songs 1381-1914] Lyrics
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Oh we may not tell you! said Festel to Fose
We're off to the wood! said John the Red Nose
We're off to the wood! said John the Red Nose
And what will you do there? said Milder to Moulder
Oh we may not tell you! said Festel to Fose
We'll shoot the cutty wren! said John the Red Nose
We'll shoot the cutty wren! said John the Red Nose
Oh we may not tell you! said Festel to Fose
With knives and with forks! said John the Red Nose
With knives and with forks! said John the Red Nose
And who´ll get the spare ribs? said Milder to Moulder
Oh we may not tell you! said Festel to Fose
We'll give them all to the poor! said John the Red Nose
We'll give them all to the poor! said John the Red Nose
The Cutty Wren is a traditional Irish song that has been adapted by many artists over the years, including the British band Chumbawamba. The lyrics suggest a group of men on their way to the woods to hunt the Cutty Wren, a mythical bird often associated with ancient Celtic traditions. Although some interpretations see this as a violent act, traditionally, the Cutty Wren was captured and paraded through the town on St. Stephen's Day, a practice that has largely died out in modern times.
The song's lyrics have a powerful sense of camaraderie and secrecy, with the characters refusing to reveal their intentions to anyone outside of their group. The repetition of the lines "Oh we may not tell you!" and "We're off to the wood!" creates a sense of intrigue and excitement to the song, and the call-and-response structure of the refrain suggests a sense of communal celebration.
Overall, The Cutty Wren is a fascinating and mysterious song that speaks to the enduring power of ancient traditions and mythology. Whether interpreted as a violent act or as a communal celebration, the lyrics and melody have a haunting quality that captures the imagination.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh where are you going? said Milder to Moulder
Milder asks where Festel and Fose are going
Oh we may not tell you! said Festel to Fose
Festel tells Milder that they cannot tell their destination
We're off to the wood! said John the Red Nose
John the Red Nose announces that they are heading to the woods
And what will you do there? said Milder to Moulder
Milder wonders what they plan to do in the woods
Oh we may not tell you! said Festel to Fose
Festel tells Milder that they cannot reveal their plans
We'll shoot the cutty wren! said John the Red Nose
John the Red Nose reveals they plan to shoot a bird known as the cutty wren
Oh how will you cut him up? said Milder to Moulder
Milder asks how they plan to butcher the cutty wren
Oh we may not tell you! said Festel to Fose
Festel says they cannot disclose their method of butchering the bird
With knives and with forks! said John the Red Nose
John the Red Nose reveals they will use knives and forks to cut up the bird
And who´ll get the spare ribs? said Milder to Moulder
Milder asks who will get the spare ribs from the bird
Oh we may not tell you! said Festel to Fose
Festel says they cannot disclose who gets the spare ribs
We'll give them all to the poor! said John the Red Nose
John the Red Nose reveals they plan to give all the spare ribs to the poor
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