In 1966 the pair teamed up and began a significant influence on the folk music scene of the time. For contractual reasons, Swarbrick was given second billing on Carthy’s first three albums, but they shared the credits on the next album, But Two Came By (1968).
For many critics, Prince Heathen from 1969 was their finest recording together.
In 2006, the duo released "Straws in the Wind". In 2007, they won the 'Best Duo' Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
White Hare
Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There once was a white hare that used there for to dwell
She's been hunted be beagles and greyhounds so fair
But there wasn't a one amongst them could come near this old white hare
With me right foll the diddle-o me right foll the day
They went to the place where the white hare used to lie
They uncoupléd the beagles and beginned her to try
But there never was a white hare not there to be found
With me right foll the diddle-o me right foll the day
There was Jim Smith the huntsman and Tom the whipper-in
Were down to yonder fernside to see if she be in
With that she took a jump me boys and away she did run
And yonder she is going don't you see her gentlemen
With me right foll the diddle-o me right foll the day
Oh the footmen they did run and the huntsmen they did ride
Such hollering and shouting there was on every side
Such hollering and shouting I never before have known
And all the men were crying, Tallyho, tallyho!
With me right foll the diddle-o me right foll the day
There was twenty good beagles that causéd her to die
There wasn't a one among them above a foot high
The number of the beagles there never could be found
And never was there such hunting upon our English ground
With me right foll the diddle-o me right foll the day
The song "White Hare" by Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick tells the story of a white hare that lived near Howden town. The hare was hunted by beagles and greyhounds, but none of them were fast enough to catch this old white hare. The hunters went to the place where the hare usually stayed and began their hunting, but to no avail. The white hare was nowhere to be found. The huntsman Jim Smith and whipper-in Tom went to check the fernside, but the hare took a jump and ran away leaving the hunters behind. The footmen ran and huntsmen rode with shouting and hollering to catch the white hare. But despite their efforts, none of them could come close to the hare. Finally, twenty beagles chased and killed the hare, though it was noted that none of them were higher than a foot.
The song "White Hare" has several underlying themes. The white hare is a symbol of purity and innocence, and its hunting represents the changing times where hunting practices were not as popular. The song has also been interpreted allegorically, with the white hare symbolizing life and death, where death is the ultimate outcome no matter how much we chase after life. The song's lyrics are rich in metaphors, and each line can be interpreted in various ways. For example, "There wasn't a one among them above a foot high" can mean that none of the beagles were tall enough to catch the white hare, or that none of them had the talent or courage to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
Near Howden town, near Howden town, as I have heard them say tell
As the tale goes, near Howden town there once lived a white hare.
There once was a white hare that used there for to dwell
There was a white hare that lived in that area.
She's been hunted by beagles and greyhounds so fair
The hare was hunted by both beagles and greyhounds.
But there wasn't a one amongst them could come near this old white hare
Despite their efforts, none of the hunters could catch the elusive white hare.
With me right foll the diddle-o me right foll the day
With joy in their hearts, the hunters continued their pursuit with great enthusiasm.
They went to the place where the white hare used to lie
The hunters searched for the location where the white hare would rest.
They uncoupléd the beagles and beginned her to try
The hunters unleashed the beagles and started the hunt.
They uncoupléd the beagles and they beat the bushes round
The hunters unleashed the beagles and searched every area for the hare.
But there never was a white hare not there to be found
Despite their searching, the white hare was not found in the area.
With me right foll the diddle-o me right foll the day
Regardless, the hunters continued their pursuit with great enthusiasm.
There was Jim Smith the huntsman and Tom the whipper-in
The hunters included Jim Smith the huntsman and Tom the whipper-in.
Were down to yonder fernside to see if she be in
They checked the fernside area to see if the hare could be found there.
With that she took a jump me boys and away she did run
Suddenly, the hare jumped and ran away from the hunters.
And yonder she is going don't you see her gentlemen
The hunters spotted the white hare running in the distance.
With me right foll the diddle-o me right foll the day
Excitedly, the hunters continued the chase with great enthusiasm.
Oh the footmen they did run and the huntsmen they did ride
The footmen ran on foot while some hunters rode on horseback.
Such hollering and shouting there was on every side
The hunters shouted loudly in their pursuit of the hare.
Such hollering and shouting I never before have known
The level of excitement and noise during the hunt was unlike anything previously experienced.
And all the men were crying, Tallyho, tallyho!
The hunters were encouraging each other to keep going, shouting 'Tallyho!' as a battle cry.
With me right foll the diddle-o me right foll the day
Their excitement and enthusiasm was not dampened, as they continued the chase with joy in their hearts.
There was twenty good beagles that causéd her to die
Eventually, twenty beagles succeeded in catching the white hare and caused her demise.
There wasn't a one among them above a foot high
All the beagles were small in stature and size.
The number of the beagles there never could be found
The exact number of the beagles involved in the hunt was never determined.
And never was there such hunting upon our English ground
This was an exceptional and memorable hunting experience in the history of English ground.
With me right foll the diddle-o me right foll the day
The hunters celebrated their victory and continued the chase with great joy in their hearts.
Contributed by Owen R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.