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The Witch Of Westmorland Tab

by Stan Rogers



This song was actually written by Archie Fisher, as I believe was Giant.


Doug Merrett

The Witch of the Westmorland
Archie Fisher

                                              
Pale was the wounded knight that bore the rowan shield

                                                         
Loud and cruel were the raven's cries that feasted on the field

                                                     
Saying beck water cold and clear will never clean your wound

                                                               
There's none but the witch of the Westmorland can make thee hale and sound

                                                               
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

                                                      
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

                                                         
Saying "Why do you ride this way, and wherefore came you here?"

                                                         
"I seek the Witch of the Westmorland who dwells by the winding mere"

                                                       
And it's weary by the Ullswater and the misty brake fern way

                                                         
Til through the cleft of the Kirkstone Pass the winding water lay

                                                             
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

                                                  
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."

                                                   
And it's down to the water's brim he's born the rowan shield

                                                      
And the goldenrod he has cast in to see what the lake might yield

                                                     
And wet rose she from the lake, and fast and fleet went she

                                                        
One half the form of a maiden fair with a jet black mare's body

                                                        
And loud, long and shrill he blew til his steed was by his side

                                              
High overhead the grey hawk flew and swiftly he did ride

                                                             
Say "Course well, my brindled hound, and fetch me the jet black mare

                                                       
Stoop and strike, my good grey hawk, and bring me the maiden fair."

                                                               
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"

                                                               
And she stood in a gown of velvet blue, bound round with a silver chain

                                                             
and she's kissed his pale lips one and twice and three times round again

                                                                     
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

                                                                        
She said "Ride with your brindled hound at heel and your good grey hawk in hand

                                                                   
There's none can harm the knight who's lain with the Witch of the Westmorland"