The Witch of the Westmorland

Archie Fisher's song, "The Witch of the Westmorland," performed by Jesse Ferguson, the Bard of Cornwall. Chords and lyrics below.

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The Witch of the Westmorlands
(Archie Fisher, arrang. J. Ferguson, 2020)

Capo @ 2

V1.
D G
Pale was the wounded knight,
D G
that bore the rowan shield.
D G
Loud and cruel were the raven's cries
G A
that feasted on the field.

V2.
Saying, "Beck water cold and clear
will never cleanse your wound.
There's none but the witch of the Westmorland
can make thee hale and soond."

V3.
So turn, turn your stallion's head
'til his red mane flies in the wind
and the rider of the moon goes by
and the bright star falls behind.

V4.
And clear was the paley moon
when his shadow passed him by.
Below the hills were the brightest stars
when he heard the owlet cry.

V5.
Saying, "Why do you ride this way,
and wherefore came you here?"
"I seek the Witch of the Westmorland
that dwells by the winding mere."

V6.
And it's weary by the Ullswater
and the misty brake fern way
'til through the cleft in the Kirkstane Pass
the winding water lay.

V7.
He said, "Lie down, my brindled hound
and rest ye, my good grey hawk,
and thee, my steed may graze thy fill
for I must dismount and walk.

V8.
“But come when you hear my horn
and answer swift the call,
for I fear ere the sun will rise this morn
ye will serve me best of all."

V9.
And it's down to the water's brim
he's bore the rowan shield,
and the goldenrod he has cast in
to see what the lake might yield.

V10.
And wet she rose from the lake,
and fast and fleet went she:
one half the form of a maiden fair
with a jet black mare's body.

V11.
And loud, long and shrill he blew
'til his steed was by his side.
High overhead the grey hawk flew
and swiftly did he ride.

V12.
Saying, "Course well, my brindled hound,
and fetch me the jet black mare.
Swoop and strike, my good grey hawk,
and bring me the maiden fair."

V13.
She said, "Pray, sheathe thy silvery sword.
Lay down thy rowan shield,
for I see by the briny blood that flows
you've been wounded in the field."

V14.
And she stood in a gown of the velvet blue,
bound round with a silver chain,
and she's kissed his pale lips once and twice
and three times round again.”

V14.
And she's bound his wounds with the goldenrod,
full fast in her arms he lay.
And he has risen hale and sound
with the sun high in the day.

V15.
She said, "Ride with your brindled hound at heel,
and your good grey hawk in hand.
For there's none can harm the knight who's lain
with the Witch of the Westmorland."