The Cutty Wren
Royston Wood And Heather Wood Lyrics
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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
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.
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 © BMG Rights Management, 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
Baldricksturnip
Love it!
Sean Gillespie
this is just amazing, god bliss whatever those 2 are up to now
Theodore McGrath
I've met Heather not long ago. She's still singing, and she's one of the main organizers of the folk weekends of the Folk Music Society of New York now. I gather she lives in NYC. She's also put a couple of more recent albums: one called "The Love That I Have Chosen", as A. Heather Wood, and the other is called "The Curate's Egge" as Poor Old Horse (a trio of which she is a part). Perhaps you can find these somewhere online.
Atropus Arbaalish
@Theodore McGrath I grew up in Saratoga Springs. My parents used to hang out at Cafe Lena's, which is a famous spot for folk musicians across the US.
Graham Wood
Royston is not here anymore, but as his brother I still like listening to his and often play all of the young traditions music funny how time flies the only one left now is heather wood not related
Ian Padraig
His music ,the gift to us , continues to lift the spirit.And for that,your brother lives in our hearts.
Graham Wood
Thank you all for your wonderful replies, I'm sure Royston was still here he would have appreciated it, thanks again
Mark O'Sullivan
A bloody fine song. I sang it it the Spaniard Pub on Kinsale Co. Cork for many a year.
Steve King
I remember listening to this the first time at Pye Records pressing plant in Mitcham! A colleague was playing the test pressing...
A Nautical Gate
Spanning the centuries , to find it's way into my heart & being>to the point where will start in , a capella , as I go about my day.