The narrator, an old man, asks to be carried in a cushioned chair to see the world one last time. He requests that his dog, Lollard, be brought to him, as well as Rody and his hounds. As the old man sits in the chair, his eyes become heavy and he falls into dreams. Lollard approaches and the old man strokes his nose. People gather around the old man, their hands filled with sorrow, while the hounds look at him. The old man's eyes light up and his fingers move faintly when music plays, but he can only weep and sigh instead of blowing his horn. There is a blind hound nearby, silently communing with his heart. When the blind hound lifts his head and wails mournfully, the servants carry the old man's body away, and the hounds cry for him. Finally, the huntsman blows his horn, signaling a mix of joy and sorrow as the new day begins.

Meaning of "The Ballad Of The Fox Hunter" by Loreena McKennitt

"The Ballad of the Fox Hunter" evokes a sense of nostalgia and contemplation about aging, death, and the passing of time. The old man in the song longs to see the world one last time before he leaves it, seeking solace in the company of his faithful dog and the familiar sounds of the hunt. However, he can no longer actively participate, and his inability to blow his own horn reflects his physical and emotional limitations. The blind hound symbolizes the inevitability of mortality and serves as a reminder that life marches on despite individual suffering and eventual departure. The emotions conveyed in the song are tender and bittersweet, capturing the beauty and sadness of life's fleeting moments.