The Boys of Goose Hill

by Charles de Lint

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$1 USD or more

about

Here's another old song. The text originally appeared in my collection Hedgework and Guessery (Pulphouse Publishing, 1991) and was reprinted in the anthology The Faery Reel: Tales From The Twilight Realm edited by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling (Viking, 2004).

The cover is a photo of my pal Shane Odom and me at The May Day Fairie Festival on Sproutwood Farm, 2014.

lyrics

There's a place called Goose Hill and the boys that live there
are such tricksters and foxes that none can compare.
Malkin's their mother and she's the White Rose of May,
and Mabon's their father - tally-ho and away!
with me right tally-ho, sweet tally-ho
with me right tally, sweet tally, right tally-ho!

When the kettle boils o'er, the wheels fall from your cart,
you're pinched from your sleep or the fire won't start,
when the hens won't lay eggs or there's knots in your hair,
be sure that the boys of Goose Hill have been there.

They're the bees in the heather that call up the spring,
when the bonfires blaze from every stone ring;
they're teasing and canny, though they mean no great ill,
those pucks of the midden, the boys of Goose Hill.

They're the wind in the field when the harvesters come
and the corn dollys dance to the songs that they've sung;
there's a hare on the slopes and a stag higher still
and a wren harping tunes for the boys of Goose Hill.

Now the boys of Goose Hill they know all the old tunes,
they can call up a mist, they can drink down the moon;
take a hag-stone for luck and a dram for the cold,
turn your coat inside out if you want your own road.

Here's a health to the horn that the old man once wore,
and the May, bonny May, and the last sheaf of corn.
Here's a health to the Green Man and a health to the Moon,
and to the boys of Goose Hill that call up the tune.

credits

released May 1, 2021
Recorded in Ottawa, 2001.

Charles de Lint - vocals, guitar

Lyrics: Charles de Lint (Socan)
Tune: The Meet Was at Mathews (Irish traditional)

license

about

Charles de Lint Ottawa, Ontario

A full-time writer and musician, this author of more than eighty adult, young adult, and children’s books has won the World Fantasy, Aurora, Sunburst, and White Pine awards, among others. Modern Library's Top 100 Books of the 20th Century poll, voted on by readers, put eight of de Lint's books among the top 100. De Lint is also a poet, artist, songwriter, performer and folklorist. ... more

Recommendations

contact / help

Contact Charles de Lint

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

Charles de Lint recommends:

Bring Back Home
by Ange Hardy

You can't go wrong with an Ange Hardy album and the latest is no exception. She has a voice that is purely sublime with material that speaks to the common man and woman. Charles de Lint
go to album
Never Say Goodbye, Say Good Luck
by Caroline Keane & Tom Delany

I just love the interplay of Keane and Delaney's instruments as they play through the invigorating set of tunes on this album. I've been hitting replay every time I play it. Charles de Lint
go to album

If you like Charles de Lint, you may also like:

Moving Through Worlds - ALBUM
by Fiona Joy Hawkins

The Australian pianist offers a meditative collective of gentle instrumental compositions meant to soothe a fraying world. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 13, 2020
go to album
3ingle
by Jason Lytle, Little Wings, Kramies

A trio of songs from indie rock veterans, “3ingle” showcases their songwriting skill with pared-back, acoustic arrangements. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 8, 2018
go to album
Invitation
by Michele Stodart

Michelle Stodart’s folk music captures hope in melancholy, addressing the transformational aspects of the most challenging times. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 3, 2023
go to album
Entropy
by Drew Taubenfeld

Stunningly beautiful songs wrought with pedal steel and nylon-string guitar that cast mesmerizing melodic shapes. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 8, 2022
go to album