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There are many eerie old world songs about the enigmatic character Reynardine -- half man, half beast. He preys on beautiful women who usually disappear without trace. In this New England version of the song, which I learned from Vermont singer Margaret MacArthur (1928-2006) the “pretty maiden” is fortunate enough to escape with her life.

lyrics

One evening as I rambled,
Two miles below Pomeroy,
I met a pretty maiden,
All on the mountains high.
I said, "My pretty maiden,
Your beauty shines most clear,
Oh ‘tis on these lonesome mountains,
I'm glad to see you here."

I’m glad to see you here,
I’m glad to see you here,
Oh ‘tis on these lonesome mountains,
I'm glad to see you here

She said, “Kind, sir, be civil now,
My company forsake,
For to my great opinion,
I fear you are some rake.
And if my parents knew of this,
My life they would destroy,
For the keeping of your company,
All on the mountains high."

All on the mountains high
All on the mountains high
For the keeping of your company
All on the mountains high

I said, “My maid, I am no rake
Wrapped up in Venus' train,
Or seeking for advancement
All in me father's name;
But your beauty has enchanted me,
I cannot pass you by,
And that’s why I travel far from home,
All on the mountains high."

All on the mountains high
All on the mountains high
And that’s why I travel far from home,
All on the mountains high

This pretty fair young maiden then,
She fell in to amaze
Her eye’s as soft as amber
Upon me she did gaze
Her rosy cheeks, her ruby lips,
They lost their former dye,
And then she fell into his arms,
All on the mountains high;

All on the mountains high
All on the mountains high
And then she fell into his arms
All on the mountains high

I had not kissed her once or twice
‘Til she came to again,
Quite modestly she asked of me,
"Kind, sir, what is your name?"
“If you go to yonder forest,
The answer there you’ll find,
'Tis writ in ancient history,
They call me Reynardine."

They call me Reynardine
They call me Reynardine
Oh, ’tis writ in ancient history
They call me Reynardine

I said,“My pretty maiden now,
Don’t let your parents know,
For if you do I’ll surely rue,
And fate, will overthrow
And if you come in search of me,
Perhaps, you’ll not me find.
But I’ll be in my castle,
Enquire for Reynardine”

Enquire for Reynardine
Enquire for Reynardine
Oh, I’ll be in my castle
Enquire for Reynardine

So come all you pretty fair maidens now
And a warning take by me:
Beware of your common ways
And shun bad company,
For if you do you'll surely rue,
Until the day you die,
And beware of meeting Reynardine
All on the mountains high.

All on the mountains high
All on the mountains high
And beware of meeting Reynardine
All on the mountains high...

credits

from The Green Fields of America - Live in Concert 1988, released January 19, 2022
Mick Moloney: guitar, vocals
Robbie O’Connell: guitar, harmony vocals
Jimmy Keane: piano accordion, elkavox
Eileen Ivers: acoustic and electric fiddle
Seamus Egan: whistle

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Mick Moloney, Robbie O'Connell, and Jimmy Keane image

Mick Moloney, Robbie O'Connell, and Jimmy Keane

Since 1984, Mick Moloney, Robbie O'Connell, and Jimmy Keane have been delighting audiences with their unique blend of Irish music and song, both traditional and contemporary. An evening with this trio is an experience that covers much musical ground and is not easily forgotten. ... more

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