We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Hunter's Fox

from Singing on the Wind by Anne Lister

/

about

The Countryside Rally ... a fox running down my street in Wapping one morning, looking somewhat harassed (as well he might) ... reports around the world of all sorts of wild creatures moving into towns and cities ... tales of the Wild Hunt led by Herne the Hunter in the sky over the Isle of Dogs .. all of these no doubt contributed to this song. Sometimes as a songwriter you find yourself taking down some heavy dictation, and this happened to me somewhere along the M5/M4 from Somerset to London, June 1998.

lyrics

I will set my fox to run, said the Hunter
Through the byways and alleys of your tow
I will set my fox to run and with my quiver and my gun
I will ride to the hunting with my hounds.

I will set my hawk to fly, said the Hunter
Through the airways and skyways that you breathe
I will set my hawk to fly above your busy city skies
To remind you not to forget me.

Through the concrete and the glass you never hear me as I pass
Through the tarmac and the clay you never see me on my way
In the cities and the towns you think you've knocked my homeland down
But when the wind is blowing high you'll hear my hounds across the sky.

For you'll never fence me in, said the Hunter
You'll never fence me out or cut me down
You may think that you have won but with my quiver and my gun
I will ride to the hunting with my hounds.

In the city runs my fox, says the Hunter
My cormorant is fishing in your Thames
And my sparrowhawk will roam above your fancy city homes
And the grass will push back the concrete cage.

credits

from Singing on the Wind, released August 5, 2021
Anne - 12 string guitar. Steafan Hannigan - percussion (dumbeq), wooden sax, and uillean pipes.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Anne Lister image

Anne Lister Wales, UK

Anne is best known for her song "Icarus", recorded and performed by a number of different singers, including Martin Simpson and Nic Jones. "Astrolabe" is her ninth solo album.

contact / help

Contact Anne Lister

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Anne Lister, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Beans joins the show to discuss his album release, "ZWAARD".

listen now