“The Keeper”
Description
Keeper goes hunting for a doe. In some versions he chases several unsuccessfully.
Notes
Most of the song consists of back-and-forth singing of the chorus between two singers. B.J. Orton thinks there is a sexual or magical subtext to this song. I doubt it, myself. -PJS
I have to disagree with Paul; at least one text refers to the Keeper kissing a doe, and another doe "[running] away in a young man's heart." There is surely some sort of hidden meaning. The real question is, how far did Sharp bowdlerize what he found?- RBW
Cross references
- cf. "En Jaeger Gik At Jage (A Hunter Went Out Hunting)" (general feeling)
Recordings
- Pete Seeger, "The Keeper and the Doe" (on PeteSeeger09, PeteSeegerCD02) (on PeteSeeger18)
References
- Sharp-100E 79, "The Keeper" (1 text, 1 tune)
- PSeeger-AFB, p. 59, "The Keeper" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Silber-FSWB, p. 338, "The Keeper" (1 text)
- DT, KEEPERGO*
- Roud #1519
- BI, ShH79