Lakeman grew up with his two brothers Sean and Sam in the village of Buckland Monachorum in West Devon, England. He began playing music with his parents and two brothers at an early age. As The Lakeman Brothers, the three brothers released their debut album Three Piece Suite in 1994. Later that same year they were invited by two Yorkshire based singers Kathryn Roberts and Kate Rusby to join them as a backing group on a tour of Portugal. After the tour the five musicians became a permanent group and called themselves Equation. The group were signed in a record deal with Time Warner in 1995. After three full albums (Return to Me in 1996, Hazy Daze in 1998, and The Lucky Few in 2000), and tours in the UK, Europe and the United States, Lakeman left Equation in 2001. With his brother Sam he appeared on Sam's wife Cara Dillon's eponymous debut album, which featured Lakeman on fiddle, guitar and vocals. The album won two awards at the 2002 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
In 2002 Lakeman released his first solo album, The Punch Bowl, which received wide critical acclaim including a review in fRoots magazine which said: "The songs don't just glide smoothly by.....they get their claws into you".
Kitty Jay, Lakeman's second solo album was released in 2004. The title track of the album tells the story of Jay's Grave, a well known location on Dartmoor. That same year he collaborated with Devon singer-songwriter Steve Knightley and young local singer Jenna Witts on the album Western Approaches.
A UK tour in Autumn 2005 followed his Mercury Music Prize nomination, after which Lakeman and his band (regularly brother Sean on guitar, Ben Nichols on bass, Andy Tween on drums), toured extensively with folk-rock band The Levellers, who took to closing their set with a "fiddle off" between Lakeman and Levellers' fiddler Jonathan Sevink. Other support tours with Billy Bragg and Jools Holland brought Lakeman's music to a wider audience.
In March 2006 Lakeman began a UK tour in order to promote his new album Freedom Fields which was released on iScream. He signed to a new major record label, Relentless Records, promptly releasing a new single "Lady of the Sea" in early August 2006.
His fourth solo album, Poor Man's Heaven, was released on 30 June 2008 with an accompanying tour. It introduced a rockier edge to the folk of the previous albums. His fifth solo album, Hearts & Minds, was released on 19 July 2010. Lakeman released his sixth album called Tales From The Barrel House on 18 November 2011.
www.sethlakeman.co.uk
The White Hare
Seth Lakeman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I heard her in the dead of night
The warning of a white hare
Her eyes burning bright.
Careful you don't catch her
Or give her right of way.
For she will look upon you
For the white hare is calling
She's dancing in the night
And she'll be out 'til the morning light
Out upon the heather
A shadow came onto me
Her hair was hanging over
Her face I could not see
She ran behind the rocks
I heard the hounds cry
The image of a woman
Her head she held up high
For the white hare is calling
She's dancing in the night
She'll be out 'til the morning
With her eyes burning bright
The white hare is calling you
If you go hunting
Or calling out your prey
Or if you see a fair maid
With hair an ashen grey
Careful you don't catch her
Or give her right of way
For she will look upon you
Steal your soul away
For the white hare is calling
She's dancing in the night
She'll be out 'til the morning
With her eyes burning bright
The white hare is calling you
The lyrics of Seth Lakeman's "The White Hare" tell the story of a mystical and elusive creature that is said to steal the souls of anyone who encounters her. The song is haunting and atmospheric, with Lakeman's fiddle playing creating an eerie, otherworldly atmosphere.
The first verse sets the scene, with Lakeman hearing the warning of the white hare as he wanders through the valley in the dead of night. Her eyes are described as burning bright, as if they are on fire. The second verse warns of the danger of encountering the white hare. She is said to steal the souls of those who see her, so it is important to be careful not to give her right of way.
The third verse describes a specific encounter with the white hare. Lakeman sees a shadowy figure with hair hanging over her face, and he hears the hounds cry out as she disappears behind the rocks. The figure is described as a woman holding her head up high, which adds to the sense of mystery and magic that surrounds her. The chorus repeats the warning to be careful if you encounter the white hare, as her dancing in the night can be a dangerous lure.
Overall, "The White Hare" is a haunting and atmospheric song that tells the story of a mystical creature that embodies the danger and dark beauty of the natural world. Lakeman's fiddle playing adds to the sense of mystery and magic, creating a haunting and unforgettable listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard her in the valley,
I listened to the sounds of the white hare coming from the valley
I heard her in the dead of night
I heard the white hare's warning during the late hours of the night
The warning of a white hare
The white hare's message of caution
Her eyes burning bright.
Her bright eyes shining like fire
Careful you don't catch her
You must be cautious not to catch the white hare
Or give her right of way.
Let the white hare pass, don't obstruct her path
For she will look upon you
If you encounter the white hare, she will fix her gaze on you
Steal your soul away
And steal your soul from you
For the white hare is calling
The white hare summons us
She's dancing in the night
She dances under the moonlight
And she'll be out 'til the morning light
She'll continue to dance until the morning comes
Out upon the heather
Out on the blossoming heath
A shadow came onto me
A shadowy figure approached me
Her hair was hanging over
Her hair was falling across her face
Her face I could not see
I could not make out her face
She ran behind the rocks
She fled behind the boulders
I heard the hounds cry
I heard the baying of the hunting dogs
The image of a woman
The apparition of a woman
Her head she held up high
She held her head high with confidence
She'll be out 'til the morning
She will continue to be out until the sun rises
With her eyes burning bright
Her shining eyes like burning embers
The white hare is calling you
The white hare is summoning you
If you go hunting
If you choose to hunt
Or calling out your prey
Or call your prey out
Or if you see a fair maid
Or if you see a fair maiden
With hair an ashen grey
Whose hair is ashen gray
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TRADITIONAL, SETH LAKEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@EvenWaysMusic
How have I only found him today? I’m in love with his music!
@janicebroom1612
I love Seth Lakeman he is brilliant live
@danieldavies709
Absolutely fantastic!! So much emotion.
@Rockchicbitch
My favourite Seth song since I heard it at the National Forest Folk Festival many moons ago. I saw Seth sitting at the back on a walk and sat beside him having no idea who he was. Was smitten thereafter xx
@henryd6746
This man is a legend
@JaimieJo
Just found this artist by accident, and I love his music!
@billus1066
did security at a festival featuring Seth,first time i'd heard him ,pretty good ....a hidden talent..
@janicebroom1612
He performed this track at Sidmouth Folk Festival on Wednesday, brillig as ever
@IcedCat559
Holy cow nostalgia just hit like a ton of bricks
@Bellossoming
Beautiful! I love him!