THE WITCH OF THE WESTMORLAND Time: 2/4 Tenor: C Bass: C
- Archie Fisher, 198?
- Record: Stan Rogers, Between The Breaks
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
Pale was the wounded knight___ that bore the rowan shield
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 *
Loud and cruel were the raven s cries that feasted on the field
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
Saying: beck water, cold and clear___, will never clean your wound
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 *
There s none but the Witch of the Westmor-land can make thee hale and sound
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
So turn, turn your stallion s head___, till his red mane flies in the wind
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 *
And the rider of the moon goes by and the bright star falls be-hind
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
And clear was the paley moon___, when his shadow passed him by
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 *
Be-low the hills were the brightest stars when he heard the owlet cry
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
Saying: Why do you ride this way___, and wherefore came you here
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 *
I seek the Witch of the Westmor-land, who dwells by the winding mere
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
And it s weary by the Ulls-water___ and the misty brake fern way
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 *
Till through the cleft of the Kirkstane Pass, the winding water lay
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
He said: Lie down, my brindled hound___, and rest ye, my good grey hawk
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 *
And thee, my steed, may graze thy fill, for I must dis-mount and walk
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
But come when you hear my horn___, and answer swift the call
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 *
For I fear ere the sun will rise this morn ye will serve me best of all
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
And it s down to the water s brim___, he s born the rowan shield
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 *
And the golden-rod he has cast in, to see what the lake might yield
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
And wet rose she from the lake___, and fast and fleet went she
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 *
One half the form of a maiden fair with a jet black mare s bo-dy
CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO
NOTES:
- Timing: 2/4 avoids original mixed time (4/4 & 2/4)
- Rogers: Tuning: DADGAG, Play G (capo 5 = C)
THE WITCH OF THE WESTMORLAND PAGE TWO
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
And loud, long and shrill he blew___ till his steed was by his side
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 *
High over-head the grey hawk flew and swiftly he did ride
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
Saying: Course well, my brindled hound___, and fetch me the jet black mare
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 *
Stoop and strike, my good grey hawk, and bring me the maiden fair
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
She said: Pray, sheathe thy silvery sword___. Lay down thy rowan shield
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 *
For I see by the briny blood that flows, you ve been wounded in the field
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
And she stood in a gown of velvet blue___, bound round with a silver chain
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 *
And she s kissed his pale lips one and twice, and three times round a-gain
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
And she s bound his wounds with the golden-rod___, full fast in her arms he lay
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 *
and he has risen hale and sound with the sun high in the day
1 * * 4 * 1 * 6m7 *
She said: Ride with your brindled hound at heel__, and your good grey hawk in hand
1 * 57 6m 4 * 5 * (1)
There s none can harm the knight who s lain with the Witch of the Westmor-land__
SYMBOLS:
- Asterisk (*) = new measure, play same chord
- Period (.) = 1/8 note rest at start of a measure
- Underline(_) = sustain note into next measure