Robin williamson the dancing of the lord of weir lyrics

By Robin Williamson







Robin Williamson: Chanter, bironne, chinese flute, jew's harp, bazooki, gong and vocal.







In the third part of the year



when men begin to gather fuel against the



coming cold



hear hoover ring hard on frosty ground



begins our song







for centuries we lived alone high on the moors



herding the deer for milk and cheese for leather



and horn



humans came seldom nigh



for we with our spells held them at bay



and they with gifts of wine and grain did



honour us







returning at evening from the great mountains



out red hoods ring with bells lightly we run



until before our own green hill



there we did stand







she is stolen 



she is snatched away



through watery meads straying our lovely



daughter



she of the wild eyes



she of the wild hair



snatched up to the saddle of the lord of Weir



who has his castle high upon a crag



a league away







upon the horse of air at once we rode



to where Weir's castle lifts like a crippled claw



into the moon



and taking form of minstrels brightly clad



we paced upon white ponies to the gate 



and rang thereon



"we come to sing unto my lord of Weir



a merry song."







into his sorry hall we stepped



where was our daughter bound near his chair



"come play a measure!"



"sir at once we will!"



and we began to sing and play



to lightly dance in rings and faster turn



no man within that hall could keep his seat



but needs must dance and leap



against his will







this was the way we danced them to the door



and sent them on their way into the world



where they will leap amain



till they think one kind thought



for all I know they may be dancing still







while we returned with our own



into our hall



and entering in



made fast



the grassy door.