Cadwith Anthem
Steeleye Span Lyrics


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Come fill up your glasses and let us be merry,
For to rob bags of plunder it is our intent.
As we roam through the valleys
Where the lilies and the roses
And the beauty of Kashmir lay drooping his head
Then away, then away
To the caves in yonder mountain
Where the robbers retreat
Hush, hush in the distance thereā€²s footsteps approaching




Stand, stand and deliver it is our watch cry.

Overall Meaning

The song "Cadwith Anthem" by Steeleye Span portrays the perspective of a group of robbers planning to steal from travelers as they roam through the valleys of Kashmir. The opening verse invites everyone to fill up their glasses and be merry as they proceed with their intentions of robbery. This shows that the robbers are enjoying their lives and do not feel bad about the actions they are about to partake in. They see it as a way to earn a living and enjoy the thrills that come with it.


As they progress through their journey, they pass through valleys and witness the beauty of Kashmir. It is interesting to note that they do not seem to be moved by the scenic views around them but rather are focused on their objective of robbing bags of plunder. The following verses describe their retreat to the caves in the mountains and how they use a watch cry to ask their victims to stand and deliver. The last line brings out the essence of the song - it portrays that the robbers are not afraid of being caught for their actions.


Line by Line Meaning

Come fill up your glasses and let us be merry
Let's celebrate and have a good time together


For to rob bags of plunder it is our intent
Our intention is to steal valuable things by force


As we roam through the valleys
We wander around in the valleys


Where the lilies and the roses
Where beautiful flowers can be found


And the beauty of Kashmir lay drooping his head
The beautiful scenery of Kashmir is sadly being destroyed


Then away, then away
Let's go, let's go


To the caves in yonder mountain
We're headed to the caves on the mountain over there


Where the robbers retreat
A place where thieves like to hide


Hush, hush in the distance there's footsteps approaching
Be quiet, someone is coming in the distance


Stand, stand and deliver it is our watch cry
Stop and surrender, that's our command




Writer(s): Rose Prince, Trevor Frederick Grills, Nigel Sherratt, Jeremy David Brown, Louise Brown, Jonathan Robert Cleave, John Anthony Brown, Michael William Hawkins, Julian Nicholas Brown, John Leonard Mcdonnell, Traditional, Christopher John Lethbridge, Rupert Christie, Richard Peter Rowe

Contributed by Claire R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Ben - Moderator


on Bonny Moorhen

Hi Stuart, We have corrected the description above.

Stuart Tartan


on Bonny Moorhen

The song Bonny Moorhen by Steeleye Span is a traditional Scottish ballad that tells the story of a bird, the Bonny Moorhen, and its journey through the glen and over the sea. The narrator of the song expresses affection and admiration for the bird and asks others to toast its health when they are out drinking. The Bonny Moorhen is described as having a rainbow of feathers, including blue, which is unusual for a bird, and invites it to come to the narrator. However, in the second verse, the song takes a darker turn as the narrator reveals that the bird has gone over the sea and will not return until the summer. But when it does return, only certain people will know, suggesting that not everyone will be happy about the Bonny Moorhen's return. The third verse introduces a new element to the story, two men named Ronald and Donald who are out on the fen, presumably trying to hunt or harm the bird. The narrator calls for the Bonny Moorhen to come to them for safety. Overall, the song is a mix of admiration for the beauty of nature and a warning about the dangers that can lurk in it. The Bonny Moorhen represents something pure and innocent, but there are those who would try to harm it, and the song is a call to protect it.

This description of the song completely misses the point in every way. It IS NOT about a bird.
It is an allegorical Jacobite-era song about Bonny Prince Charlie (the bonny moorhen). The colours mentioned, for instance, are the colours of the Clan Stuart tartan.