Sir Orfeo lyrics

Sir Orfeo was a valiant knight

A knight of high degree

He fell in love with a lady fair

Beneath the orchard tree

He played upon his harp so sweet

His voice was pure and true

And she has fallen deep in love

With brave Sir Orfeo

As it fell out all on a day

The sun was riding high

This lady took a pleasant sleep

Beneath the orchard tree

But as she lay a-sleeping there

She dreamed a dreadful dream:

The King of the elves stole her away

To take her for his queen

The oak and the ash and the bonny apple tree

All blossom and bloom in my own country

Sir Orfeo is a-hunting gone

Down in the woods so green

A-picking flowers and berries so sweet

To take unto his queen

And as the sun was setting low

To the garden he's come home

A-calling for his own true love

But true love he found none

A-searching high and searching low

For fifty days went he

Until at last he wept and mourned

Beneath the orchard tree

The oak and the ash and the bonny apple tree

All blossom and bloom in my own country

Sir Orfeo is a-wandering gone

Down in the woods so green

A-weeping long and weeping sore

For his poor lost stolen queen

No costly robes upon his back

No signs of wealth or pride

Nought but rags and leather bags

And his harp down by his side

Sir Orfeo is a-wandering gone

Through ice and rain and sleet

His beard has grown so long and grey

That it twists about his feet

His nails are grown like ravens' claws

His hair like knotted oak

For years he wept and sang his song

But not one word he spoke

The oak and the ash and the bonny apple tree

All blossom and bloom in my own country

One day as he played on his harp so sweet

And sang his sad refrain

There came a host from Elfinland

All in their fairy train

The King of Elfland blew his horn

To make the elf train go

But as they passed, a fearful sight

Saw brave Sir Orfeo

For in the midst of the elfin host

Locked in a cage so strong

He saw his love imprisoned there

All among the elven throng

And filled with fear and love and hope

And hatred for his foe

To follow that deadly elven train

Rode brave Sir Orfeo

The oak and the ash and the bonny apple tree

All blossom and bloom in my own country

There's fifty lords and ladies fair

Stood in the elven hall

There's not one soul can please the King

When he for music calls

There's not one soul can please the King

When he calls for a song

Up stands our brave Sir Orfeo

"I won't detain you long"

He played upon his harp so sweet

His voice was pure and true

The finest song in all the land

Played brave Sir Orfeo

“Your music so entrances me

The gift I must repay

Name now your prize in all this land:

Your choice I must obey"

“I'll take not land, nor jewels nor gold

Nor yet your steed to ride

But this fair lady I do claim

For she is my love and bride"

The oak and the ash and the bonny apple tree

All blossom and bloom in my own country

Sir Orfeo is a-riding gone

With his bride all by his side

They rode till they came to his castle wall

“Our Lady's home,” he cried

There's twenty guards drew fast around

To lift the lady down

They've dragged our brave Sir Orfeo

To be locked fast underground

There's not one soul believes his tale

Or sees through his rough disguise

They locked him fast in prison strong

Despite his lady's cries

Then up and stepped a little foot page

To test the tale so true

He gave him a harp and bid him to play

Sir Orfeo's own tune

He's played upon his harp so sweet

His voice was pure and true

Up spoke the court in one accord

To greet Sir Orfeo

They filled the hall with music fair

The tables weighed with food

For fifty days and fifty nights

They blessed all that was good

The oak and the ash and the bonny apple tree

All blossom and bloom in my own country

• Artist:Fay Hield
• Album:Orfeo