The White Hare

I heard her in the valley,

I heard her in the dead of night.

The warning of a white hare

Her eyes burning bright. 

The night was dark, a thick fog rolling over the fields. On this damp evening a solitary figure made his way across the wet grass toward the beacon of warm light in the distance. The White Dragon, a pub of decent repute, was the favorite place of many a working man in that town. There one would find warm food, a blazing fire, and a fairly good pint. All of the news that went around came through that pub, as did all of the gossip.
For the man walking across the fields, the light was a welcome sight and he quickened his pace. He could hear faintly the noisy laughter and singing that billowed from the open windows and doors. As he drew near, he spotted something making its way across the path. It was a hare, pure white in color and beautiful to behold.

 

Careful you don`t catch her

Or give her right of way.

For she will look upon you,

Steal your soul away

Never had he seen one so pure in color. Thinking to bring its fur home as a nice present for his ailing mother, the lad followed the creature. It trotted down the road past the inn. Forgetting for the moment ale and warmth, the man turned aside and followed after. The fog curled across the road, making it difficult for him to make out the creature. He continued doggedly onward, stooping and quickening his pace to keep within sight of the hair. 

For the white hare is calling,

Dancing in the night.

She'll be out `til the morning light.

He realized soon that they had left the road and were crossing the open fields once more. Still he followed after the hare, for he could not give up such a prize so easily. He comforted himself by reminding himself of the warmth and praise with which he would be received upon bringing such a beautiful fur home.

Out upon the heather

A shadow came onto me.

Her hair was hanging over,

Her face I could not see.

She ran behind the rocks,

I heard the hounds cry,

The image of a woman

With her head held up high.

The hare suddenly turned and dodged behind a rock. The man pursued it around the rock, only to discover that the hare was there no longer. In its place stood a young woman, her back turned to him. He stopped, momentarily confused. 

For the white hare is calling,

Dancing in the night.

She'll be out `til the morning

With eyes burning bright.

The white hare is calling you.

She turned, her bright eyes piercing his very soul. And he felt his soul melt away, disappear, as he met her gaze. 

 

If you go hunting,

Calling out your prey,

If you see a fair maid,

With her hair ash and grey,

Careful you don`t catch her,

Give her right of way,

For she will look upon you,

Steal your soul away.

Lyrics by Seth Lakeman