Reynardine is a traditional song taken from an English broadside. It is believed to be an 18th century song, often called “The Mountains High.” Later iterations infer that Reynardine is a were-fox, who seduces young women on the mountainside and brings them back to his castle.
This is the version I prefer, though I’ve adapted it somewhat from The Fairport Convention’s lyrics. This song was recorded a capella in one take, as an answer to a personal challenge.
Reynardine
my version
One evening as I rambled
Among the leaves so green
I saw a pretty fair maiden
Converse with Reynardine
Her eyes were bright, her cheeks were pale,
Her hair was red as wine
And he smiled to gaze upon her
Did that sly bold Reynardine
“Your beauty so enticed me
I could not pass it by
So it’s with my sword I’ll guard you
All on the mountains high”
She said, “Kind sir, be civil
My company forsake
For in my own opinion
I fear you are some rake”
“Oh no,” he said, “no rake am I
Brought up in Venus’ train
But I’m seeking for concealment
All from the judge’s men
Her cherry cheeks and her ruby lips,
they lost their former dye,
She fainted in his arms there,
all on the mountains high,
When he had kissed her once or twice,
she came to herself again,
And said, “kind Sir be civil
and tell to me your name.”
“If by chance you should look for me
Perhaps you’ll not me find
For I’ll be in my great castle
Inquire for Reynardine”
Sun and dark, she followed him
His teeth did brightly shine
And he led her up a-the mountains
Did that sly old Reynardine.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynardine
