This song is inspired by an old Irish folktale about ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris), a wildflower traditionally known as the "Fairy Horse." In Irish folklore, its golden blossoms were believed to carry the fairies on their nightly journeys, making the plant a symbol of mystery, magic, and the hidden world. 🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️🧚🏻♀️ [Verse 1] One moonlight night the fairies came, And softly called the traveller's name. They gave a magic cap to wear, And whispered, "Ride the ragwort there." [Pre-Chorus 2] He climbed the ragwort like a steed, It rose through sky with wondrous speed. They crossed the clouds so high and far, Beneath the moon and every star. [Chorus] Ride, ride, the fairy horse tonight, Through silver clouds and pale moonlight. Hold your cap and do not stray, Or luck may vanish with the day. [instrumental interlude] [Verse 2] They reached a cellar rich with wine, Where dusty casks stood row by line. He drank his fill with joyful cheer, While fairy laughter filled his ear. [Pre-Chorus 2] At break of dawn the spell was gone, The fairy friends had journeyed on. Alone he stood within that place, With fear now written on his face. [Chorus] Ride, ride, the fairy horse tonight, Through silver clouds and pale moonlight. Hold your cap and do not stray, Or luck may vanish with the day. [instrumental interlude] [Verse 3] The guards cried, "Thief!" and seized the man, They bound him fast as law began. The judge declared without delay, "At gallows' end you'll die today." [Pre-Chorus 3] Before the rope was tightly tied, He reached inside with hope and pride. He placed the magic cap once more, As he had done the night before. [Chorus] Ride, ride, the fairy horse tonight, Through silver clouds and pale moonlight. Hold your cap and do not stray, Or luck may vanish with the day. [Verse 4] The fairy power filled the air, It swept him from the gallows there. He flew above the fields so wide, With unseen fairy folk to guide. [Pre-Chorus 4] Back home at last his flight was done, Beneath the early morning sun. Beside the ragwort he did stand, Back where he left his native land. [Chorus] Ride, ride, the fairy horse tonight, Through silver clouds and pale moonlight. Hold your cap and trust the way, The fairies know where dreams will stay. [instrumental outro]
