The Witch of the Westmorland

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"