Songs From The Wood
Let me bring you songs from the wood:
To make you feel much better than you
could know -
ust you down from tip to toe -
Show you how the garden grows -
Hold you steady as you go -
Join the chorus if you can:
It'll make of you an honest man.
Let me bring you love from the field:
Poppies red and roses filled with
summer rain
To heal the wound and still the pain
That threatens again and again
As you drag down every lovers' lane.
Life's long celebration's here.
I'll toast you all in penny cheer.
Let me bring you all things refined:
Galliards and I te songs served in chill-
ing ale.
Greeting well-met fellow, hail!
I am the wind to fill your sail.
I am the cross to take your nail:
A singer of these ageless times -
With kitchen prose and gutter rhymes.
Jack-In-The-Green
Have you ever seen Jack-In-The-Green?
- With his long tail hanging down.
He quitely sits under every tree
In the folds of his velvet gown.
He drinks from every empty acorn cup
The dew that down sweetly bestows.
And taps his cane upon the ground -
Signals the snow-drops, it's time to grow.
It's no fun being Jack-In-The-Green.
No place to dance, no time for song.
He wears the colours of the summer soldier,
Carries the green flag all winter long.
Jack, do you never sleep - does the green still
run deep in your heart?
Or will these changing times, motorways, power-
lines keep us apart?
Well, I don't think so.
I saw some grass growing through the pavements
today.
The Roman, the Oak and the Holly tree
Are charges left r him to groom.
Each blade of grass whispers, "Jack-In-The-Green".
"Oh Jack, please help me through my winter's night."
And - "We are the berries on the Holly tree:
Oh, the Mistle Thrush is comming, Jack, put out the
light!"
Cup Of Wonder
May I make my fond excuses for the late-ness of the hour;
But we accept your invitation, and would bring you
Beltane's flower.
For the May Day is the great day, sung along the old
straight track.
And those who ancient lines did ley will heed this song
that calls them back.
Chorus: Pass the wood and pass the lady.
Pass the plane to all who hunger.
Pass the wit of ancient wisdom, pass
the Cup of Crimson Wonder.
Ask the Green Man where he comes from, ask the cup that
fills with red.
Ask the old grey standing stones who show the sun his
way to bad.
Question all as to their ways, and learn the secrets that
they hold.
Walk the lines of Nature's palm, crosses with silver and
with gold.
Chorus.
Join in black December's sadness, lie in August's
welcome corn.
Stir the cup that's ever filling with the blood of all
that's born.
But the May Day is the great day, sung along the old
straight track.
And those who ancient lines did ley will heed this song
that calls them back.
Chorus.
Hunting Girl
One day I walked the road and crosses a field to go
by where the hounds ran hard
And on the master raced behind, the hunters chased
to where the pass was barred.
One fine young lady's refused the tence to clear
I un-locked the gatebut she did wait until the pack had
disappeared.
Crop-handle carved in bone, sat high upon a throne of finest
Engleesh leather
The Queen of all the Pack: this joker raised his hat and
talked about the weather.
All should be warned about this high-born Hunting Girl.
She took this simple man's downfall in hand; I raised the
flag that she unfurled.
Boot leather flashing and spur-necks the size of your thumb.
This high-born hunter had tastes as strange as they come.
Unbrided passion: I took the bit in my teeth
Her standing over me on my knees underneath.
My lady, be discrete, T must get to my feet and go back to
the farm.
Whilst I appreciate you are no deviate, I might come to
some harm.
I'm not inclined to acts refined, it that's how it goes.
Oh high-born Hunting Girl I'm just a normal low-born so-and-so.
Ring Out, Solstice Bells
Now is the solstice of the year.
Winter is the glad song that you hear.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Have the lads up ready in line.
Chorus Ring out those bells
Ring out, ring Solstice Bells.
Ring, Solstice Bells.
Join together 'neath the Mistle-toe.
By the Holy oak where-on it grows.
Seven Druids dance in seven time
Sing the song the Bells call, loudly chimming.
Chorus
Praise be to the distant sister Sun.
Joyful as the silver planets run.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Sing the song the Bells call, loudly chimming.
Chorus
All lyrics by permission (c)1977 Salamander
& Son Music Ltd. Publishel in U.S.A.
and Canada by Chrysalis Music Corp.
J E T H R O T U L L
with kitchen prose, gutter rhymes and divers
SONGS FROM THE WOOD
SIDE TWO
Velvet Green
Walking on Velvet Green -
Scots Pine growing.
Isn't it rare to be taking the air,
shinning -
Walking on Velvet Green.
Walking on Velvet Green
Distant cows lowing.
NNever a care: with you legs in the air,
loving -
Walking on Velvet Green.
Won't you have my company, yes, take
it in your hand.
Go down, on Velvet Green, with
a country-n n.
Who's a young girl' fancy
and maid's dream.
Tell your mother that you walked all
night on Velvet Green.
One dusky half-hour's ride up to the
north.
There lies your reputation and all that
you're worth.
Where the scent of wild roses turns the
milk to cream.
Tell your mother that you walked all
night on Velvet Green.
And the long grass blows in the evening
cool.
And August's rare delitesmay be April's
fool.
But think not of that my love, I'm tight
against the seam.
And I'm growing up to meet you down on
Velvet Green.
Now I may tell you that it's love and
not just lust.
And if we live the lie, let's lie in trust
On golden daffodils, to cath the silver
stream
That washes out the the wild oat seed on
Velvet Green.
We'll dream as lovers under the stars:
Of civilisation raging afar.
And the ragged dawn breaks on your
battle scars
As you walk home cold and alone upon
Velvet Green.
The Whistler
I'll buy you six bay mares, to put in you stable;
Six golden apples brought with my pay.
I am the first piper who calls the sweet tune
But I must be gone by the seventh day.
Chorus So come on - I'm the Whistler
I have a fife, and a drum to play.
Get ready - I'm the Whistler.
I whistle along on the seventh day.
All kinds of sadness I've left behind me.
Many's the day when I have done wrong.
But I'll be your for ever and ever.
Climb in the saddle and whistle along.
Chorus
Deep red are the sunsets in mystical places.
Black are the nights on summer-day sands.
We'll find the speck of truth in each riddle:
Hold the first grain of love in our hands.
Chorus
Pibroch (Cap In Hand)
There's a light in the house
in the wood
in the valley
There's a thought in the head of the man
Who carries his dreams
like the coat slung
on his shoulder,
Bringing your love
in the cup
in his hand.
And each step he takes is one
half of a life-time:
No word he would say could you
understand
So he boundles his regrets
into a gesture of sorrow,
Bringing your love
cup in hand.
Catching breath, as he looks
through the dinning-room window:
Candle-lit table for two
has been laid.
Strange slippers by the fire:
Strange boots in the hall-way.
Put my cup on my head -
I turn
and walk away.
Fire At Midnight
I believe in fires at midnight
when the dogs have all been fed.
A golden toddy on the mantle;
a broken gun beneath the bed.
Silken must outside the window -
Frogs and newts slip in the dark.
Too much hurry ruins a'body:
I'LL sit easy; fan the spark.
Kidness by the dying embers of
another working day.
Go upstairs; take off your make-up -
Fold your clothes nearly away.
Me, I'll sit and wright this love song
As I all too seldom do -
Build a little fire this midnight:
It's good to be back home with you.
Let me bring you songs from the wood:
To make you feel much better than you
could know -
ust you down from tip to toe -
Show you how the garden grows -
Hold you steady as you go -
Join the chorus if you can:
It'll make of you an honest man.
Let me bring you love from the field:
Poppies red and roses filled with
summer rain
To heal the wound and still the pain
That threatens again and again
As you drag down every lovers' lane.
Life's long celebration's here.
I'll toast you all in penny cheer.
Let me bring you all things refined:
Galliards and I te songs served in chill-
ing ale.
Greeting well-met fellow, hail!
I am the wind to fill your sail.
I am the cross to take your nail:
A singer of these ageless times -
With kitchen prose and gutter rhymes.
Jack-In-The-Green
Have you ever seen Jack-In-The-Green?
- With his long tail hanging down.
He quitely sits under every tree
In the folds of his velvet gown.
He drinks from every empty acorn cup
The dew that down sweetly bestows.
And taps his cane upon the ground -
Signals the snow-drops, it's time to grow.
It's no fun being Jack-In-The-Green.
No place to dance, no time for song.
He wears the colours of the summer soldier,
Carries the green flag all winter long.
Jack, do you never sleep - does the green still
run deep in your heart?
Or will these changing times, motorways, power-
lines keep us apart?
Well, I don't think so.
I saw some grass growing through the pavements
today.
The Roman, the Oak and the Holly tree
Are charges left r him to groom.
Each blade of grass whispers, "Jack-In-The-Green".
"Oh Jack, please help me through my winter's night."
And - "We are the berries on the Holly tree:
Oh, the Mistle Thrush is comming, Jack, put out the
light!"
Cup Of Wonder
May I make my fond excuses for the late-ness of the hour;
But we accept your invitation, and would bring you
Beltane's flower.
For the May Day is the great day, sung along the old
straight track.
And those who ancient lines did ley will heed this song
that calls them back.
Chorus: Pass the wood and pass the lady.
Pass the plane to all who hunger.
Pass the wit of ancient wisdom, pass
the Cup of Crimson Wonder.
Ask the Green Man where he comes from, ask the cup that
fills with red.
Ask the old grey standing stones who show the sun his
way to bad.
Question all as to their ways, and learn the secrets that
they hold.
Walk the lines of Nature's palm, crosses with silver and
with gold.
Chorus.
Join in black December's sadness, lie in August's
welcome corn.
Stir the cup that's ever filling with the blood of all
that's born.
But the May Day is the great day, sung along the old
straight track.
And those who ancient lines did ley will heed this song
that calls them back.
Chorus.
Hunting Girl
One day I walked the road and crosses a field to go
by where the hounds ran hard
And on the master raced behind, the hunters chased
to where the pass was barred.
One fine young lady's refused the tence to clear
I un-locked the gatebut she did wait until the pack had
disappeared.
Crop-handle carved in bone, sat high upon a throne of finest
Engleesh leather
The Queen of all the Pack: this joker raised his hat and
talked about the weather.
All should be warned about this high-born Hunting Girl.
She took this simple man's downfall in hand; I raised the
flag that she unfurled.
Boot leather flashing and spur-necks the size of your thumb.
This high-born hunter had tastes as strange as they come.
Unbrided passion: I took the bit in my teeth
Her standing over me on my knees underneath.
My lady, be discrete, T must get to my feet and go back to
the farm.
Whilst I appreciate you are no deviate, I might come to
some harm.
I'm not inclined to acts refined, it that's how it goes.
Oh high-born Hunting Girl I'm just a normal low-born so-and-so.
Ring Out, Solstice Bells
Now is the solstice of the year.
Winter is the glad song that you hear.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Have the lads up ready in line.
Chorus Ring out those bells
Ring out, ring Solstice Bells.
Ring, Solstice Bells.
Join together 'neath the Mistle-toe.
By the Holy oak where-on it grows.
Seven Druids dance in seven time
Sing the song the Bells call, loudly chimming.
Chorus
Praise be to the distant sister Sun.
Joyful as the silver planets run.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Sing the song the Bells call, loudly chimming.
Chorus
All lyrics by permission (c)1977 Salamander
& Son Music Ltd. Publishel in U.S.A.
and Canada by Chrysalis Music Corp.
J E T H R O T U L L
with kitchen prose, gutter rhymes and divers
SONGS FROM THE WOOD
SIDE TWO
Velvet Green
Walking on Velvet Green -
Scots Pine growing.
Isn't it rare to be taking the air,
shinning -
Walking on Velvet Green.
Walking on Velvet Green
Distant cows lowing.
NNever a care: with you legs in the air,
loving -
Walking on Velvet Green.
Won't you have my company, yes, take
it in your hand.
Go down, on Velvet Green, with
a country-n n.
Who's a young girl' fancy
and maid's dream.
Tell your mother that you walked all
night on Velvet Green.
One dusky half-hour's ride up to the
north.
There lies your reputation and all that
you're worth.
Where the scent of wild roses turns the
milk to cream.
Tell your mother that you walked all
night on Velvet Green.
And the long grass blows in the evening
cool.
And August's rare delitesmay be April's
fool.
But think not of that my love, I'm tight
against the seam.
And I'm growing up to meet you down on
Velvet Green.
Now I may tell you that it's love and
not just lust.
And if we live the lie, let's lie in trust
On golden daffodils, to cath the silver
stream
That washes out the the wild oat seed on
Velvet Green.
We'll dream as lovers under the stars:
Of civilisation raging afar.
And the ragged dawn breaks on your
battle scars
As you walk home cold and alone upon
Velvet Green.
The Whistler
I'll buy you six bay mares, to put in you stable;
Six golden apples brought with my pay.
I am the first piper who calls the sweet tune
But I must be gone by the seventh day.
Chorus So come on - I'm the Whistler
I have a fife, and a drum to play.
Get ready - I'm the Whistler.
I whistle along on the seventh day.
All kinds of sadness I've left behind me.
Many's the day when I have done wrong.
But I'll be your for ever and ever.
Climb in the saddle and whistle along.
Chorus
Deep red are the sunsets in mystical places.
Black are the nights on summer-day sands.
We'll find the speck of truth in each riddle:
Hold the first grain of love in our hands.
Chorus
Pibroch (Cap In Hand)
There's a light in the house
in the wood
in the valley
There's a thought in the head of the man
Who carries his dreams
like the coat slung
on his shoulder,
Bringing your love
in the cup
in his hand.
And each step he takes is one
half of a life-time:
No word he would say could you
understand
So he boundles his regrets
into a gesture of sorrow,
Bringing your love
cup in hand.
Catching breath, as he looks
through the dinning-room window:
Candle-lit table for two
has been laid.
Strange slippers by the fire:
Strange boots in the hall-way.
Put my cup on my head -
I turn
and walk away.
Fire At Midnight
I believe in fires at midnight
when the dogs have all been fed.
A golden toddy on the mantle;
a broken gun beneath the bed.
Silken must outside the window -
Frogs and newts slip in the dark.
Too much hurry ruins a'body:
I'LL sit easy; fan the spark.
Kidness by the dying embers of
another working day.
Go upstairs; take off your make-up -
Fold your clothes nearly away.
Me, I'll sit and wright this love song
As I all too seldom do -
Build a little fire this midnight:
It's good to be back home with you.