We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
/

about

This song; not included in the Child canon, has the feel of a ballad. All the versions hint at supernatural qualities in the lover's identity. Fe is sometimes "brought up in Venus' train" - his castle is there and yet is not there; sometimes he is at home; sometimes not. He flits one step ahead of his mistress as a fox before the hounds. Indeed; his name IS that of the fox, Reynardine. Some versions, containing lines like "I have men at my command all on this mountain high" and "I am searching for Council men all in the Judge's name" suggest that Rinordine might he an outlaw. Whatever his identity, the mysterious, unadorned story has provided grist to many 19th-century broadside printing presses. These issues spread the song over Ireland, Southern England, Nova Scotia and the United States. My version is from the singing of H.F. Watson, Marion County, West Virginia.

lyrics

One morning as I rambled
Two miles below Palm Roy,
I met a farmer's daughter
All on the mountain high.

I said, My dear, my fair one,
Your beauty shine so clear.
All on this lonely mountain
I'm glad to see you here.

Your beauty has ensnared me,
I cannot pass you by,
But with my gun I'll guard you
All on the mountain high.

These words had scarce been spoken,
She fell in a maze;
Her eyes as bright as diamonds
All on me she did gaze.

Her rosy lips and cheeks
They lost their former hue,
And she fell in my arms
Silent as morning dew.

I had but kissed her once or twice,
She come to again.
And modestly she asked me,
Pray sir, what is your name?

Go look in yonder forest,
My castle you will find
'Tis wrote in ancient history
My name is Ryner Dyne.

But now, my dear, my fair one.
Don't let your parents know.
For they may prove my ruin
Also my overthrow.

If you come to yonder forest;
Perhaps you'll not me find.
Enquire at my castle,
Ask for Ryner Dyne.

She sought him to his forest
Perhaps she did him find.
But she's not in that castle
Nor is Ryner Dyne.

credits

from Blood & Roses Volume 5, released September 14, 1986
Peggy Seeger - vocals, dulcimer

Produced by Calum MacColl
Engineered by Nigel Cazaly

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Ewan MacColl image

Ewan MacColl London, UK

This site is maintained by the MacColl family, aiming to make Ewan's catalogue available to download.
Ewan MacColl is known to most as a songwriter and singer, but he was also of significant influence in the worlds of theatre and radio broadcasting. His art reached huge numbers through the folk clubs, greater numbers through his recordings and untold millions through the radio. ... more

contact / help

Contact Ewan MacColl

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Ewan MacColl recommends:

If you like Ewan MacColl, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Beans joins the show to discuss his album release, "ZWAARD".

listen now