Good Hunter

Come sit you down on this dark night
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
And hearken to a tale of fright
Though you be a mighty hunter

A maid dwells in the woods nearby
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
She draws the careless with her cry
For she is a mighty hunter

No mortal man can break her will
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
No sword avails, no strength, no skill
For she is a mighty hunter

One day a man of chivalry
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
Heeded not this history
For he was a mighty hunter

So I will tell you of his fate
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
The knight who learned the truth too late
Though he was a mighty hunter

He ranged the woods both far and near
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
Till the sounds of weeping drew his ear
For he was a mighty hunter

"Why weep you in the forest here?"
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
"A boar has killed my husband dear!"
Though he was a mighty hunter

“Oh where shall I this wild boar see?”
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
“Oh blow a blast, he’ll come to thee”
For he is a mighty hunter

The knight put horn unto his mouth
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
He blew it north, east, west and south
For he was a mighty hunter

And strong as seven armored men
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
The boar came forth from out his den
For he was a mighty hunter

The boar cut wounds of scarlet red
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
But the knight at last struck off his head
Though he was a mighty hunter
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Then the maid turned to the knight
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
“Thou art the man of greater might”
Oh, you are a mighty hunter

“Fair lady sad this day must be
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
But let me take you off with me
For I am a mighty hunter

Your beauty rare has captured me
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
Come off my love, I’ll marry thee”
For I am a mighty hunter

“Oh foolish man no wife I’ll be
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
‘Tis ye who’ll come and follow me
For I am a mighty hunter

You have slain my magic boar
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
Who was, as you, a man before
Though he was a mighty hunter

And now you’ll take his place, good knight
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
Till you are slain by greater might
Yes, by some mighty hunter”

The knight cried out in grief full sore
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
Where he had stood now lay a boar
And he was a mighty hunter

Beware all ye the crying bride
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
Who lives within the greenwood side
For she is a mighty hunter

Hunt not within the Maid’s domain
Wind well thy horn, good hunter
Or as a beast you may remain
As one more mighty hunter