Archie Fisher: The Witch of the West-mer-lands (Cover)

http://www.NeptunesCar.com Written by Archie Fisher. Performed by Holly Hanson.

From "Archie Fisher: The Man with a Rhyme"

The Witch of the West-mer-lands [capo: 5]

[G] Pale was the wounded [C] knight
[G] That bore the rowan [C] shield
[G] Loud and cruel were the [Em] raven's cries
That [C] feasted on the [D] field, saying:

[G] "Beck water, cold and [C] clear,
[G] Will never clean your [C] wound.
[G] There's none but the Maid of the [Em] Winding mere
Can [C] make thee hale and [D] soond."

[G] "So course well, my brindled [C] hounds,
[G] And fetch me the mountain [C] hare
[G] Whose coat is as grey as the [Em] Wastwater
Or as [C] white as the lily [D] fair," who said:

[G] "Green moss and heather [C] bands
[G] Will never staunch the [C] flood.
[G] There's none but the Witch of the [Em] West-Mer-Lands
Can [C] save thy dear life's [D] blood."

[G] "So turn, turn your stallion's [C] head
[G] Till his red mane flies in the [C] wind
[G] And the rider of the [Em] moon gaes by
And the [C] bright star falls be-[D]hind."

[G] And clear was the paley [C] moon
[G] When his shadow passed him [C] by;
[G] Below the hill was the [Em] brightest star
When he [C] heard the houlet [D] cry, saying:

[G] "Why do you ride this [C] way,
[G] And wharfore cam' ye [C] here?"
[G] "I seek the Witch of the [Em] West-mer-lands
That [C] dwells by the winding [D] mere."

[G] "Then fly free your good grey [C] hawk
[G] To gather the golden [C] rod,
[G] And face your horse in-[Em]to the clouds
A-[C]bove yon gay green [D] wood."

[G] And it's weary by Ullswat-[C]er
[G] And the misty brake fern [C] way
[G] Till through the cleft o' the [Em] Kirkstane Pass
The [C] winding water [D] lay.

[G] He said, "Lie down, my brindled [C] hound,
[G] And rest my good grey [C] hawk,
[G] And thee, my steed, may [Em] graze thy fill,
For I [C] must dismount and [D] walk.

[G] "But come when you hear my [C] horn
[G] And answer swift the [C] call,
[G] For I fear e'er the sun shall [Em] rise this morn
You will [C] serve me best of [D] all."

[G] And down to the water's [C] brim
[G] He's borne the rowan [C] shield,
[G] And the golden rod he [Em] has cast in
To [C] see what the lake might [D] yield.

[G] And wet rose she from the [C] lake,
[G] And fast and fleet gaed [C] she,
[G] One half the form of a [Em] maiden fair
With a [C] jet black mare's bo-[D]dy.

[G] And loud, long and shrill he [C] blew
[G] And his steed was by his [C] side;
[G] High overhead his [Em] grey hawk flew
And [C] swiftly he did [D] ride, saying:

[G] "Course well, my brindled [C] hounds,
[G] And fetch me the jet black [C] mare.
[G] Stoop and strike, my [Em] good grey hawk,
And [C] bring me the maiden [D] fair." She said:

[G] "Pray sheath thy silvery [C] sword,
[G] Lay down thy rowan [C] shield,
[G] For I see by the briny [Em] blood that flows
You've been [C] wounded in the [D] field."

[G] And she stood in a gown of the velvet [C] blue,
[G] Bound 'round with a silver [C] chain.
[G] She's kissed his pale lips [Em] aince and twice
And [C] three times 'round a-[D]gain.

[G] And she's bound his wound with the golden [C] rod;
[G] Full fast in her arms he [C] lay,
[G] And he has risen [Em] hale and soond
Wi' the [C] sun high in the [D] day. She said:

[G] "Ride with your brindled hounds at [C] heel
[G] And your good grey hawk in [C] hand.
[G] There's nane can harm a [Em] knight wha's lain
With the [C] Witch of the West-mer-[D]land."

http://www.NeptunesCar.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Archie Fisher
• Holly Hanson
• Neptune's Car
• Folk
• Country
• Traditional
• acoustic
• witch
• knight
• Stan Rogers
• Westmoreland
• Westmorland
• Westmerlands
• witch song
• The Man with a Rhyme

[hetrodoxly]

Great cover, why have you change the title of the song 'west-mer-land'?

[folksongwriter]

@hetrodoxly Thanks for the nice comment. I titled the song in the same way the songwriter, Archie Fisher, titled it on his album, "The Man with a Rhyme."

[eljeffe1815]

By God Holly, you make me want to go out and buy a guitar and start singing songs too.:)

[folksongwriter]

Thanks for listening, eljeffe1815, and everyone. - Holly

[folksongwriter]

Thanks everyone. This is one of my most favorite songs by one of my most favorite singer/songwriters.

[steveandcory]

As you know, Hol, Archie is my favorite. This awesome interpretation of "The Witch of the West-Mer-Lands" goes straight to my heart - Archie would be proud - as am I.

[hetrodoxly]

@folksongwriter

You might find this of some interest, search for "kirkstone pass inn" on youtube, History of the ghosts.

[fingal42]

A great effort. I've been lucky enough to see Archie sing live, and he's a compelling singer. I think he would like your version.

[hetrodoxly]

@folksongwriter

Ok, He must have wrote it phonetically (i think he did this with some of his other songs) Westmoreland is an area of the lake district.

[chrissept21]

nice!!

[sammyff01]

I found this by accident searching for new songs for me to perform. This is the first time I've heard it, I loved it. Your relaxed style and crystal clear voice really touched my heart. Well done, and thank you. And yes I think I'll use the song.

Jim

[ergtunmor]

I love you and that song! perfect! I wish more people would be like this..

[mlpwyo1]

Wow, that was super! I am a die-hard Archie Fisher fan and once swore that nobody could top his recording of this song on "Man With a Rhyme". However, you have performed magic here. Thanks for sharing your talented interpretation of this other-worldly, amazing song. You do it justice and then some. Neat!

Melissa (Archie Fisher "snob") :-)

[fionnmccueil]

So! Pretty!

Thank you for posting this!