From: [email protected] (Doug Merrett)
Subject: Stan Rogers — Witch of the Westmorland
This song was actually written by Archie Fisher, as I believe was Giant.
Doug Merrett
The Witch of the Westmorland
Archie Fisher
G C G Em7
Pale was the wounded knight that bore the rowan shield
G D7 Em C D
Loud and cruel were the raven’s cries that feasted on the field
G C G Em7
Saying beck water cold and clear will never clean your wound
G D7 Em C D
There’s none but the witch of the Westmorland can make thee hale and sound
G C G Em7
So turn, turn your stallion’s head til his red mane flies in the wind
G D7 Em C D
And the rider of the moon goes by and the bright star falls behind
G C G Em7
And clear was the paley moon when his shadow passed him by
G D7 Em C D
Below the hills were the brightest stars when he heard the owlet cry
G C G Em7
Saying «Why do you ride this way, and wherefore came you here?»
G D7 Em C D
«I seek the Witch of the Westmorland who dwells by the winding mere»
G C G Em7
And it’s weary by the Ullswater and the misty brake fern way
G D7 Em C D
Til through the cleft of the Kirkstone Pass the winding water lay
G C G Em7
He said «Lie down, my brindled hound, and rest ye, my good grey hawk»
G D7 Em C D
And thee, my steed, may graze thy fill for I must dismount and walk
G C G Em7
But come when you hear my horn and answer swift the call
G D7 Em C D
For I fear ere the sun will rise this morn ye will serve me best of all.»
G C G Em7
And it’s down to the water’s brim he’s born the rowan shield
G D7 Em C D
And the goldenrod he has cast in to see what the lake might yield
G C G Em7
And wet rose she from the lake, and fast and fleet went she
G D7 Em C D
One half the form of a maiden fair with a jet black mare’s body
G C G Em7
And loud, long and shrill he blew til his steed was by his side
G D7 Em C D
High overhead the grey hawk flew and swiftly he did ride
G C G Em7
Say «Course well, my brindled hound, and fetch me the jet black mare
G D7 Em C D
Stoop and strike, my good grey hawk, and bring me the maiden fair.»
G C G Em7
She said «Pray, sheathe thy silvery sword. Lay down thy rowan shield
G D7 Em C D
For I see by the briny blood that flows you’ve been wounded in the field»
G C G Em7
And she stood in a gown of velvet blue, bound round with a silver chain
G D7 Em C D
and she’s kissed his pale lips one and twice and three times round again
G C G Em7
And she’s bound his wounds with the goldenrod, full fast in her arms he lay
G D7 Em C D
and he has risen hale and sound with the sun high in the day
G C G Em7
She said «Ride with your brindled hound at heel and your good grey hawk in hand
G D7 Em C D
There’s none can harm the knight who’s lain with the Witch of the Westmorland»
