The Cutty Wren
Royston Wood Lyrics


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Oh where are you going said Milder to Moulder
Oh we may not tell you said Festel to Fose
We're off to the woods said John the Red Nose
We're off to the woods said John the Red Nose.

And what will you do there said Milder to Moulder
We'll shoot the Cutty wren said John the Red Nose.
And how will you shoot us said Milder to Moulder
With bows and with arrows said John the Red Nose.

Oh that will not do said Milder to Moulder
Oh what will you do then said Festel to Fose
Great guns and great cannon said John the Red Nose.
Great guns and great cannon said John the Red Nose.

And how will you fetch her said Milder to Moulder
Oh we may not tell you said Festel to Fose
On four strong men's shoulders said John the Red Nose.
On four strong men's shoulders said John the Red Nose.

Ah that will not do said Milder to Moulder
Oh what will do then said Festel to Fose
Great carts and great wagons said John the Red Nose.
Great carts and great wagons said John the Red Nose.

Oh how will you cut her up said Milder to Moulder
With knives and with forks said John the Red Nose.
Oh that will not do said Milder to Moulder
Great hatchets and cleavers said John the Red Nose.

Oh how will you boil her said Milder to Moulder
In pots and in kettles said John the Red Nose
O that will not do said Milder to Moulder
Great pans and large cauldrons said John the Red Nose.





Oh who'll get the spare ribs said Milder to Moulder
We'll give 'em all to the poor said John the Red Nose.

Overall Meaning

The Cutty Wren is a folk song that has been around for centuries and has evolved over time. The song is believed to have originated in Ireland and Scotland and tells the story of a group of men who are going to the woods to hunt the Cutty Wren, which is a symbol of the old year. The men are identified as Milder, Moulder, Festel, Fose, and John the Red Nose. When questioned by Milder and Moulder about what they plan to do in the woods, John the Red Nose tells them they will shoot the Cutty Wren with bows and arrows. However, Milder and Moulder advise that it will not be enough and suggest using great guns and cannons to fetch and cut up the bird. John the Red Nose then suggests using great wagons and hatchets to transport and carve up the bird. When asked who will receive the spare ribs, John the Red Nose indicates that they will be given to the poor.


The lyrics to The Cutty Wren are believed to be symbolic of the transition from the old year to the new year. The Cutty Wren itself is said to represent the old year and the hunting party is believed to represent the new year. The song suggests the importance of tradition and community, as the spare ribs are given to the poor.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh where are you going said Milder to Moulder
Milder asked where they were headed.


Oh we may not tell you said Festel to Fose
Festel refused to reveal their destination.


We're off to the woods said John the Red Nose
John the Red Nose replied that they were headed towards the woods.


We'll shoot the Cutty wren said John the Red Nose.
John explained that their motive for going to the woods was to hunt the Cutty wren.


And how will you shoot us said Milder to Moulder
Milder inquired as to how they planned to catch the Cutty wren.


With bows and with arrows said John the Red Nose.
John responded that they would use bows and arrows to catch the bird.


Oh that will not do said Milder to Moulder
Milder disapproved of their chosen method to capture the Cutty wren.


Great guns and great cannon said John the Red Nose.
John suggested using cannons and guns instead of the bows and arrows.


And how will you fetch her said Milder to Moulder
Milder asked how they planned to carry the Cutty wren after capturing it.


Oh we may not tell you said Festel to Fose
Festel refused to disclose their plan for carrying the bird.


On four strong men's shoulders said John the Red Nose.
John replied that they would carry the bird on the shoulders of four strong men.


Ah that will not do said Milder to Moulder
Milder disapproved of the shoulder-carrying plan.


Great carts and great wagons said John the Red Nose.
John suggested using carts and wagons instead of the shoulder-carrying method.


Oh how will you cut her up said Milder to Moulder
Milder inquired about their plan for cutting up the bird.


With knives and with forks said John the Red Nose.
John replied that they would cut the bird using knives and forks.


Oh that will not do said Milder to Moulder
Milder disapproved of the knife-and-fork method.


Great hatchets and cleavers said John the Red Nose.
John recommended using hatchets and cleavers instead of knives and forks.


Oh how will you boil her said Milder to Moulder
Milder asked about their plan for cooking the bird.


In pots and in kettles said John the Red Nose
John replied that they would cook the bird in pots and kettles.


O that will not do said Milder to Moulder
Milder disapproved of the pots and kettles method.


Great pans and large cauldrons said John the Red Nose.
John suggested using large pans and cauldrons instead of pots and kettles.


Oh who'll get the spare ribs said Milder to Moulder
Milder inquired as to who would get the spare ribs of the bird.


We'll give 'em all to the poor said John the Red Nose.
John replied that they would give all the spare ribs to the poor.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALICE NUTTER, ALLEN WHALLEY, BRUCE DUNSTAN, DARREN HAMER, JUDITH ABBOTT, LOUISE WATTS, NIGEL HUNTER, PAUL GRECO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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