Tensions between the band grew during the production in 1970 of their first album, Hark! The Village Wait to the point where they never again worked together after its completion, but the music itself shows no signs of these difficulties. While having a rock sensibility there is a greater sense of the authentic folk tradition than even in the best of Fairport, and a particular beauty arising from the two pairs of voices. The Woods being replaced by admired folk stalwart Martin Carthy, with violinist Peter Knight to widen the musical textures, the group late in 1970 recorded their most admired record Please to see the King. Ten Man Mop followed in 1971, more accomplished but generally felt to be less exciting. The expensive gatefold sleeve swallowed the band's royalties, and was referred to as a tombstone, since Hutchings and Carthy then left, to pursue Hutchings' new vision of a specifically English strand of folk rock with The Albion Band, and Steeleye Mk 2 folded.
However the inclusion of the less celebrated and more rock orientated replacements Rick Kemp and Bob Johnson led to the most commercially successful phase in the band's existence, vocalist Maddy Prior becoming the primary focus of the band, and a run of well received albums, from Below the Salt and Now we Are Six, their first with drummer Nigel Pegrum, to their eighth, and most commercially successful, All Around my Hat, in 1975.
Still active, they have a claim to be one of the longest-lived and perhaps the most commercially successful of all the folk rock bands of the era, thanks to their hit singles Gaudete and All Around My Hat, 3 top 40 albums and even a certified "gold" record with All Around My Hat.
Tim Hart died of lung cancer on 24 December 2009, aged 61.
Hunting the Wren
Steeleye Span Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"we'll hunt the wren," says richard to robin,
"we'll hunt the wren," says jack of the land,
"we'll hunt the wren," says everyone.
"where oh where?" says richard to robin,
"where oh where?" says jack of the land,
"where oh where?" says everyone.
"in yonder green bush," says robin to bobbin,
"in yonder green bush," says richard to robin,
"in yonder green bush," says jack of the land,
"in yonder green bush," says everyone.
"how get him down?" says robin to bobbin,
"how get him down?" says richard to robin,
"how get him down?" says jack of the land,
"how get him down?" says everyone.
"with sticks and stones," says robin to bobbin,
"with sticks and stones," says richard to robin,
"with sticks and stones," says jack of the land,
"with sticks and stones," says everyone.
"how get him home?" says robin to bobbin,
"how get him home?" says richard to robin,
"how get him home?" says jack of the land,
"how get him home?"" says everyone.
"the brewer's big cart," says robin to bobbin,
"the brewer's big cart," says richard to robin,
"the brewer's big cart," says jack of the land,
"the brewer's big cart," says everyone.
"how'll we eat him?" says robin to bobbin,
"how'll we eat him?" says richard to robin,
"how'll we eat him?" says jack of the land,
"how'll we eat him?" says everyone.
"with knifes and forks," says robin to bobbin,
"with knifes and forks," says richard to robin,
"with knifes and forks," says jack of the land,
"with knifes and forks," says everyone.
"who'll come to the dinner?" says robin to bobbin,
"who'll come to the dinner?" says richard to robin,
"who'll come to the dinner?" says jack of the land,
"who'll come to the dinner?" says everyone.
"the king and the queen," says robin to bobbin,
"the king and the queen," says richard to robin,
"the king and the queen," says jack of the land,
"the king and the queen," says everyone.
"eyes to the blind," says robin to bobbin,
"legs to the lame," says richard to robin,
"luck to the poor," says jack of the land,
"bones to the dogs," says everyone.
The wren, the wren is king of the birds
St. stephen's day he's caught in the furze
Although he is little his family is great
We pray you, good people to give us a treat.
(come out with the money, mister, or else bad health we'll we singing.
We pray you, good people, to give us a treat.)
"Hunting the Wren" is a traditional Irish song that has been interpreted and recorded by many musicians, including Steeleye Span. The song describes a group of people hunting a wren, which was believed to be the king of the birds. The hunters plan to use sticks and stones to get the bird down from a bush and then transport it home in a brewer's cart. Once they have the bird, they plan to dine on it with the King and Queen as guests. At the end of the song, they ask for a treat in exchange for the entertainment they provided.
The song has roots in ancient Celtic mythology. The wren was believed to be connected to the sun god, Lugh, who was also associated with the winter solstice. The tradition of hunting a wren on St. Stephen's Day (December 26th) goes back centuries in Ireland, and it was believed that catching a wren would bring good luck for the new year. In some versions of the song, the hunters ask for "luck to the house" instead of "bones to the dogs."
The lyrics of "Hunting the Wren" use simple language and repetition, which was common in traditional songs. The song has been interpreted in different ways, including as a critique of the Christian church's treatment of the pagan traditions of Ireland. The song's message of giving to those who entertain us is still relevant today, and the song remains a popular one in Ireland and beyond.
Line by Line Meaning
we'll hunt the wren, says robin to bobbin
Let's trap this bird, says Robin to Bobbin
where oh where? says jack of the land
Where can we find him? Asks Jack of the Land
in yonder green bush, says everyone
He's in a green bush in the distance, everyone affirms
how get him down? says richard to robin
How will we bring him down? Richard asks Robin
with sticks and stones, says everyone
We'll use sticks and stones, everyone agrees
how get him home? says jack of the land
How can we take him home? Asks Jack of the Land
the brewer's big cart, says everyone
We'll put him in the large cart the brewer has, everyone decides
how'll we eat him? says robin to bobbin
How will we have him cooked for dinner? Robin asks Bobbin
with knives and forks, says everyone
We'll eat him with utensils, everyone agrees
who'll come to the dinner? says jack of the land
Who's invited to this feast? Jack of the Land inquires
the king and the queen, says everyone
The king and queen will be our honored guests, everyone declares
eyes to the blind, says robin to bobbin
May this bird's eyesight be a blessing to the blind, Robin says to Bobbin
bones to the dogs, says everyone
The bones will be for the dogs, everyone agrees
The wren, the wren is king of the birds
The wren is the ruler of the birds
St. stephen's day he's caught in the furze
On St. Stephen's Day, he's caught in the furze
Although he is little his family is great
Even though he is small, his family is numerous and respected
We pray you, good people to give us a treat.
People, we ask for a reward for our successful hunt.
Contributed by Ryan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jessie Tipping
Awesome
DdraigGoch56
Thank you
ramsmachine
Their best tune !!!