“The Bear Chase”

Description

Hunters and dogs go out to hunt the (bear/deer). Most of the song is about the activities of the dogs. Chorus: "Way, away, We're bound for the mountain (x3), Over the hills, The fields and the fountains, Away to the chase, Away!"

Notes

The text in Brown is noticeably literary, and the notes mention a printed song, "The Wild Ashe Deer," from 1854. Whether the traditional song derives from the printed version, or the printed version was taken from tradition and "improved," is by no means clear. - RBW

Recordings

• Pete Seeger, "Bear Chase" (on PeteSeeger09, Pete SeegerCD02)

References

1. BrownIII 219, "The Wild Ashe Deer" (1 text)
2. Lomax-FSNA 81, "The Deer Chase" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Botkin-SoFolklr, p. 741, "Cumberland Mountain Bear Chase" (1 text, 1 tune)
4. Roud #6675
5. BI, LoF081