The Twelve Witches

oh there were twelve witches bold

and they lived in the north,

and their equals were not seen

on the face of the earth.

the first witch, with her hand,

the storm could hush,

and the second witch could stop

all the torrents rush.

and the third witch, she could strike

upon the golden lyre,

and she charmed both young and old

into the dancing fire.

rowan tree, red thread,

hold the witches all in dread.

the fourth witch she could dive

in the sea as a fish,

and the fifth witch she never wanted

any meat on a dish.

and now the next witch go

under the earth could she,

and the seventh witch could dance

upon the rolling sea.

and the eighth witch on her horn

she would blow a blast,

and everyone who heard

would shudder and stand aghast.

rowan tree, red thread,

hold the witches all in dread.

oh the ninth witch she tamed all

that in the greenwood crept,

and the tenth witch, not a nap

she had ever slept.

the eleventh witch, the grisly

lindworm bound,

and the twelfth witch she could all

things understand.

and these twelve witches bold,

they all lived in the north,

and their equals were not seen

on the face of the earth.

rowan tree, red thread,

hold the witches all in dread