Witch Of The Westmorelands

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 wounds

There's none but the Maid of the Winding Mere can make thee hale and soond"

"Then course well, my brindled hounds, and fetch me the mountain hare

Whose coat is as grey as the Wastwater and as white as the lily fair",

Who said "Green moss and heather bands will never staunch the flood

There's none but the Witch of the Westmorelands can save thy dear life's blood"

So turn, turn your Stallion's head 'till his grey mane flies in the wind

Till the rider of the moon goes by and the bright star falls behind

Clear was the paley moon when his shadow passed him by

Below the hill was the brightest star when he heard the houlet cry,

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

"I seek the Witch of the Westmorelands that dwells by the winding mere"

"Then fly free your good grey hawk to gather the golden rod

And face your horse intae the clouds above yon gay green wood"

Weary by Ullswater and the misty brake fern way

'Till through the cleft o' the Kirkstane Pass the winding water lay

He said "Lie down, my brindled hound and perch 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 e'er the sun will rise this morn you will serve me best of all"

Down to the water's brim, he's borne the rowan shield

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

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

One half the form of a maiden fair and the jet black mair's body

Long, loud and shrill he blew and his steed was by his side

High overhead his grey hawk flew and swiftly he did ride

Saying "Course well, my brindled hounds, and fetch me the jet black mair

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

Who 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"

She stood in the gown of the velvet blue, bound 'round with a silver chain

She's kissed his pale lips aince and twice and three times 'round again

She's bound his wound with the golden rod, full fast in her arms he lay

And he has risen hale and soond wi' the sun high in the day

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

There's none can harm the knight who's kissed by the Witch of the Westmorland"