King Orfeo
Emily Smith Lyrics


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There lived a lady in yon Haa
Scowan urla grun
Her name was Lady Lisa Bell,
Whar giorten han grun oarlac

The king, he has a-huntin′ gane,
Left his lady aa alane.
The Elfin Knight took oot his dart,
Pierced poor Lisa tae the heart.

When the king cam hame at noon
He asked for Lady Lisa Bell.

His nobles unto him they said,
"She first was wounded, noo she's dead."

He′s awa intae the wood
Til hair grew o'er him where he stood

He sat there for seven years
Til a company to him drew near.

Some did ride and some did ging,
He saw his lady them amang.

He sat doon so full o' wae
And he took oot his pipes to play.

First he played the notes o′ noy
And then he played the notes o′ joy

Then he played the gaber reel
That would make a sick heart heal

The Elfin Knight to him did say,
"What will you hae noo for your pay?"

"For my pay I will thee tell
I'll hae my Lady Lisa Bell."





"You can take your lady hame
And you′ll be king o'er aa yer ain."

Overall Meaning

The song "King Orfeo," as sung by Emily Smith, tells the story of Lady Lisa Bell and King Orfeo. Lady Lisa Bell lived in a castle referred to as "yon Haa," and the song describes her as a beautiful lady. One day, while the king went hunting, Lady Lisa was left alone in the castle, and that is when the Elfin Knight appeared and pierced her heart with his dart, killing her. When the king returned, he discovered that his lady was dead, and he went into the forest, where he sat for seven years until he saw a company of people riding and walking. He recognized his lady Lisa among them, and so he took out his pipes to play. He played a sad tune to express his sadness, followed by a tune of joy, and then he played the gaber reel which healed the sick-at-heart. The Elfin Knight, who was there with him, then offered him a deal. The king asked for Lady Lisa Bell as his pay, and the Elfin Knight granted his wish. Thus, King Orfeo was able to take Lady Lisa Bell back home, and he became the king over all his land.


The song narrates a fairy tale-like story, where fairies and elves make appearances, and the whole story seems to revolve around the theme of love and loss. After Lady Lisa Bell's death, King Orfeo's life becomes bleak, and he finds solace only in his music. When he sees Lady Lisa Bell again, his life is immediately transformed, and he offers to give up everything in exchange for her. The song "King Orfeo" is a poignant tale of love, loss, and the power of music.


Line by Line Meaning

There lived a lady in yon Haa
In a certain house, there was a lady residing


Scowan urla grun
Her name was Scowan Urla Grun


Her name was Lady Lisa Bell,
She is also known as Lady Lisa Bell


Whar giorten han grun oarlac
Little is known about her ancestry


The king, he has a-huntin′ gane,
The king went out hunting


Left his lady aa alane.
Leaving his lady alone at home


The Elfin Knight took oot his dart,
An Elfin Knight used his dart


Pierced poor Lisa tae the heart.
He used it to pierce Lady Lisa's heart


When the king cam hame at noon
When the king returned home at noon


He asked for Lady Lisa Bell.
He inquired about Lady Lisa Bell


His nobles unto him they said,
The nobles informed him


"She first was wounded, noo she's dead."
Lady Lisa was injured and now she is dead


He′s awa intae the wood
The king went into the forest


Til hair grew o'er him where he stood
He stayed there until his hair grew over him


He sat there for seven years
He remained seated there for seven years


Til a company to him drew near.
A group of people approached him


Some did ride and some did go.
Some were on horseback and some were walking


He saw his lady them amang.
He spotted Lady Lisa among them


He sat doon so full o' wae
He sat down, filled with sorrow


And he took oot his pipes to play.
Then he pulled out his pipes to play


First he played the notes o′ noy
He began by playing sad notes


And then he played the notes o′ joy
And then he played happy notes


Then he played the gaber reel
Finally, he played the Gaber Reel


That would make a sick heart heal
Which is known for its healing properties


The Elfin Knight to him did say,
Then the Elfin Knight spoke to him


"What will you hae noo for your pay?"
"What do you want as payment?"


"For my pay I will thee tell
"I will tell you what I want as payment


I'll hae my Lady Lisa Bell."
I want to have my Lady Lisa Bell back


"You can take your lady hame
"You can take your lady back home


And you′ll be king o'er aa yer ain."
And you will become the ruler of your own land once again.




Writer(s): Ellis Vivien, Lewin Giles Francis, Traditional

Contributed by Dylan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@tballou1

Lyrics:

There lived a lady in yon ha'
Scowan erla grae
Her name was Lady Lisa Bell
Far yorten han grun orla

The king, he has a-huntin' gane
Scowan erla grae
An' left his lady all alane
Far yorten han grun orla

The Elfin King wi' his dairt
Scowan erla grae
Pierced his lady tae the hert
Far yorten han grun orla

When the king cam hame at noon
Scowan erla grae
He spiered for Lady Lisa Bell
Far yorten han grun orla

His nobles untae him did say
Scowan erla grae
"My lady was wounded, noo she's deid"
Far yorten han grun orla

Noo they've taen her life frae me
Scowan erla grae
But her corpse they'll never hae
Far yorten han grun orla

The king, he's ca'd his nobles a'
Scowan erla grae
Tae waltz her corpse intae the ha'
Far yorten han grun orla

But when the lords were fa'n asleep
Scowan erla grae
Oot o' the ha' her corpse did creep
Far yorten han grun orla

Noo awa tae the woods he's gane
Scowan erla grae
An' there he sat upon a stane
Far yorten han grun orla

He sat there for seiven years
Scowan erla grae
'Til a company him drew near
Far yorten han grun orla

Some did ride and some did ging
Scowan erla grae
He saw his lady then amang
Far yorten han grun orla

The company, they then made their way
Scowan erla grae
Tae a ha' upon a hill
Far yorten han grun orla

Noo he set him doon fu'l wae
Scowan erla grae
He's taen oot his harp tae play
Far yorten han grun orla

First he played the notes o' noy
Scowan erla grae
Then he played the notes o' joy
Far yorten han grun orla

An' then he played the guid gabber reel
Scowan erla grae
That would mak a sick hert heal
Far yorten han grun orla

There cam a boy frae oot the ha'
Scowan erla grae
Ye're bidden tae play amangst us a'
Far yorten han grun orla

The Elfin King tae him did say
Scowan erla grae
"What will you hae for a' yer play?"
Far yorten han grun orla

For my play I will ye tell
Scowan erla grae
I'll hae my Lady Lisa Bell
Far yorten han grun orla

My sister's son, the unworthy thing
Scowan erla grae
The morn he will be crowned king
Far yorten han grun orla

Noo ye can tak yer lady hame
Scowan erla grae
An' you'll be king a' on yer ain
Far yorten han grun orla



All comments from YouTube:

@omarolmosmartinez4303

¿Quién más viene del video de Miguel?

Preciosa canción

@jorgealbertoestradaalvarez5396

obvio, un jefe el miguel

@kennyermorido

Un jefe el Miguel

@benjaaltamirano6447

Joder es verdad xD

@nmesenLopez

@@jorgealbertoestradaalvarez5396 Presente

@miguelnavarrete8578

Cual video me queden dar el link

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@thegreatselkie6009

Absolutely gorgeous!!! 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@kennyermorido

Grande Miguel de lys

@lyndamiller9413

YouTube is the greatest invention in the history of the world, for allowing me to find little miracles like this! Thanks for posting!

@rustlingbushes7678

Lost for 900 years!

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