"Witch of the Westmorland" is a traditional folk song that has been covered by various artists over the years. The song tells the story of a witch who lives in the mythical land of Westmorland. She is described as a powerful and mysterious figure, capable of performing magic and casting spells. The song explores themes of love, loss, and the supernatural, painting a vivid picture of the enchanting world in which the witch resides. The lyrics of "Witch of the Westmorland" evoke a sense of the fantastical and mystical, transporting listeners to a realm where anything is possible. The imagery used in the song is rich and evocative, painting a picture of rolling hills, ancient forests, and moonlit nights.
The imagery used in the song is rich and evocative, painting a picture of rolling hills, ancient forests, and moonlit nights. The witch herself is portrayed as both captivating and dangerous, with her powers and allure being both enticing and potentially destructive. The song also explores the theme of love in the face of adversity, with the singer expressing their deep affection for the witch despite the challenges and dangers that come with being involved with such a supernatural being.
Kate Rusby - The Witch of the Westmorland Lyrics
Pale was the wounded knight, that bore the Roman shield,
And loud and cruel were the ravens cries as he feasted on the field.
Green moss and heather bland, will never staunch the flood,
There's none but the Witch of the
Westmorland can save thy dear life's blood.
Turn, turn your stallions head, till his read mane flies in the wind,
And the rising of the moon goes by, and the bright star falls behind.
And clear was the paley moon, when shadow past him by,
And below the hill were the
brightest stars when he heard the ellard cry.
Saying, why do you ride this way and where fore-came you here?
I seek the Witch of the Westmorland, who dwells by the winding mere.
And its weary by the Ullswater, and misty the Brakefen way,
Till through the cleft of the Kirkstall pass, the winding water lay.
And he said Lie down you brindled hound and rest ye my old grey hawk,
And thee my steed may graze thy fell, for I must this mountain walk.
But come when you hear my horn, and answer swift the call,
For I fear when the sun will rise
this morn, you'll serve me best of all.
And its down to the waters brim, he's born the roman shield,
And the golden rod he has cast in, to see what the lake my yield.
And wet rose she from the lake, and fast and flee went she,
And half the form of a maiden fair, with a jet black mares body.
Oh, loud, long and shrill he blew, till his steed was by his side,
High overhead the grey hawk flew, and swiftly he did ride.
Saying, course well me brindled
hound, and fetch me the jet black mare,
And stoop and strike with good grey
hawk, and bring me the maiden fair.
And she said prey sheath thy silvery sword, lie down thy roman shield,
For I see by the briny blood that flows, you wounded in the field.
She stood in a gown of velvet blue, bound round with a silver chain,
And she's kissed his pale lips once
and twice, and three times round again.
And shes bound his wounds with a
golden rod, for fast in her arms he lay,
And he has risen whole in sow, with the sun high in the day.
And she said ride with your brindled
hound, and your good grey hawk in hand
For there's none can harm the knights
whose lay, with the Witch of the Westmorland
No there's none can harm the knights
whose lay, with the Witch of the Westmorland.
The lyrics suggest a certain vulnerability and longing for the witch, even as the singer acknowledges the risks involved in entering into a relationship with her. "Witch of the Westmorland" has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including legendary folk singer Archie Fisher and the popular folk band Stan Rogers. Each rendition of the song brings its own unique interpretation and style, yet the core themes of magic, love, and the supernatural remain consistent. The enduring popularity of the song speaks to its ability to capture the imagination of listeners and transport them to a world of enchantment and wonder. In conclusion, "Witch of the Westmorland" is a captivating folk song that tells the tale of a powerful and enigmatic witch who resides in the mythical land of Westmorland. Through its vivid imagery and evocative lyrics, the song transports listeners to a world of magic and mystery, exploring themes of love and the supernatural. With its enduring popularity and numerous cover versions, "Witch of the Westmorland" continues to captivate audiences and remain a beloved part of the folk music tradition..
Reviews for "Enchanted by the Witch of the Westmorland: A Study in Folklore and Belief"
1. John - 1 star
I found "Witch of the westmorland" to be an incredibly dull and uninteresting read. The characters were flat and lacked any depth, making it difficult to care about their journey or what happened to them. The plot was also very predictable and lacked any surprises or twists. Overall, I was left feeling bored and disappointed with this book.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
While "Witch of the westmorland" had an intriguing premise, I ultimately found it to be lackluster. The writing style was disjointed and hard to follow at times, which made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with long stretches of slow development followed by rushed and unsatisfying conclusions. Overall, I felt like this book had potential but fell short in execution.
3. Robert - 1 star
I couldn't get past the first few chapters of "Witch of the westmorland" before giving up on it. The writing was convoluted and hard to understand, and the characters were unrelatable and unlikable. I found myself losing interest quickly as I struggled to connect with the story. I was disappointed in this book and would not recommend it to others.