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The Elf King's Horn
Words & music © 1999 Ginger Hulsopple The melody for this song occurred almost full-blown one afternoon in the shower! The story line was suggested by my daughter, Dani. The trees mentioned in the chorus all mean something according to the ancient druidic beliefs: The Rowan was for protection against enchantment, the Vine for prophecy. The Ivy was the search for self while Heather represents the inner self. The Hawthorn stands for cleansing, chastity and protection. In thinking about what a girl might do if she thought she was the focus of a love enchantment, I could see these branches being used… but the melody connected with the tree charms is that of the Elf King’s Horn, which has claimed her heart.
Chorus:
Am G Am
Oh, pin the rowan to the door
F G Am
And twist the vine and the ivy more
C G
Bring heather sweet and the pure hawthorn
Am F G Am
And listen for the Elf King’s horn.Am F G Em
1. On grassy hill there stands a maiden proud and fair
Am F G Am
Alone is she and never love to share
C G
For within her heart is a song so sweet and clear
Am F G Am
A horn does blow that only she can hear.
Am F G Em
A young man waits on the hill late upon a summer’s day
Am F G Am
So bright of eye and fair of face is he.
C G
There he stood for to court and to try her love
Am F G Am
“Oh maiden pray come and tarry a while with me.” ChorusAm F G Em
2. “Good morrow, sir, but I shall not go with you this day
Am F G Am
Though fair you are and willing to bide with me
C G
For my heart lies there in the night where song is born
Am F G Am
My love I hold for the one who does sound the horn.”
Am F G Em
Her eyes were set where the sun travels on to the distant west
Am F G Am
So sad was she and her heart was not her own
C G
"For my love," she said, "will I leave all I hold best
Am F G Am
And says he nay then fore’er shall I lie alone." Chorus
Am F G Em
3. Away she went through the land. Oh a wandering soul was she!
Am F G Am
To seek the horn and the one who did play it true
C G
And all those she passed did weep her fate to see
Am F G Am
But heed the call was all her poor heart could do.
Am F G Em
On Hallows E’en when the moon was full in the frosty air
Am F G Am
She came upon a circle of stone so cold
C G
Rounded hill did appear there before her true
Am F G Am
From deep inside rang a melody her heart knew. ChorusAm F G Em
4. A door she saw in the hill where there was but grass before
Am F G Am
Midst revel gay came the sound she was searching for
C G
Golden light so warm did beckon her deep within
Am F G Am
To find the one who had chanced her heart to win
Am F G Em
Before her stood the shining young Lord who had sought her hand
Am F G Am
"My love, you have to the Land of the Sidhe been borne.
C G
We will wed and our love shall forever stand.
Am F G Am
Your heart was called by the Elf King’s horn!" Chorus
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