Orfeo/Nathan’s Reel

There was a king lived in the west
Green the woods so early
Of all the harpers he was the best
Where the hart goes yearly

The king he has a-hunting gone
Green the woods so early
And left his lady all alone
Where the hart goes yearly

The king of faerie with his dart
Green the woods so early
Has pierced the lady to the heart
Where the hart goes yearly

So after them the king has gone
Green the woods so early
Until he came to a large grey stone
Where the hart goes yearly

And he took out his harp to play
First he played the notes of pain
And all their hearts were weary
Then he played the faerie reel
And all their hearts were cheery

The king of faerie, with his rout
Green the woods so early
Has gone to hunt him all about
Where the hart goes yearly

"come ye into the faerie hall
Green the woods so early
And play your harp amongst us all,"
Where the hart goes yearly

And he pulled out his harp to play
First he played the notes of pain
And all their hearts were weary
Then he played the faerie reel
And all their hearts were cheery

"oh what shall i give you for your play?"
Green the woods so early
"oh let me take my lady away."
Where the hart goes yearly

The faerie king said "be it so
Green the woods so early
Take her by the hand and go."
Where the hart goes yearly

And he took out his harp to play
First he played the notes of pain
And all their hearts were weary
Then he played the faerie reel
And all their hearts were cheery