Exploring the different interpretations of the Witch dragon Santa Maria

The Witch Dragon Santa Maria is a legendary creature often associated with folklore and mythology. It is said to be a powerful and magical dragon with the ability to cast spells and potions. The name "Santa Maria" is believed to have derived from its supposed origins in the Santa Maria mountain range. According to local legends, the Witch Dragon Santa Maria was known for its cunning and mischievous nature. It would often use its magical abilities to cause chaos and confusion among both humans and mythical creatures alike. Some tales even tell of the dragon using its powers to control the weather and create storms at will.

Gary Zaboly’s depiction of one of Captain John Lovewell’s Rangers. This is from his excellent Osprey volume: American Colonial Ranger: The Northern Colonies 1724–64 Zaboly and tim Todish are at work on what promises to be a magisterial study of colonial rangers in North America.

And many knew her innocent of horrid charges made Liner notes include detailed information by Allison about each song and an introduction about the Salem Witch Trials. Crowds had gathered on the Town Moor of Newcastle In front of wooden scaffolds, that frosty first day of spring Fourteen women, victims of malice Prejudice and fear, were hoping for reprieve.

Some tales even tell of the dragon using its powers to control the weather and create storms at will. One particular story recounts how the Witch Dragon Santa Maria became entangled in a battle with a brave group of knights. The dragon had been terrorizing nearby villages, stealing livestock and causing destruction wherever it went.

American witchcraft ballads

Trad Songs about Witches/Witchcraft

Broomfield Hill springs to mind instantly
Maid on the Shore is a fairly obvious one
The use of witchcraft, particularly by disapproving mothers to get rid of unwanted suitors for their sons include Clyde's Water and Lord Gregory
A superb example of the use of the accusation of witchcraft to break up an unwanted liason is to be found in the beautiful 'Andrew Lammie'
Tam Lin, of course - a woman who fights to free her lover from the otherworld
The Two Magicians
The use of witchcraft in ballads and songs is not immediately obvious
For ballad references, Lowrie C Wimberly's 'Folklore in the English and Scottish Ballads is a superb reference.
Enjoy your search Harry - it's good fun
Jim Carroll

Try a search on the forum for 'Pendle' as well.

I'd second the recommendation for Wimberly's book. One of my favourite songs about the use of witchcraft is Willie's Lady (Child number 6) which I've never got round to learning - but I will one day. I also remember Dave and Toni Arthur's Hearken to the Witches Rune from 1971 and, although I haven't heard it, Kate and Corwen (Ancient Music ) have a CD out with several tracks which may be relevant)

Bonnie Lass of Anglesey
Rolling of the Stones - some versions
Allison Gross/Cross
Wife of Usher's Well
Wild Boar - some versions

witchcraft acted on a character not herself a witch
Kemp Owyne
King Henry
Marriage of Sir Gawaine

Reynardine may be a warlock

There Was An Old Woman Tossed Up In A Blanket

There was an old woman tossed up in a basket
Seventeen times as high as the moon.
But where she was going, I could not but ask it,
For in her hand she carried a broom.
“Old woman, old woman, old woman,” quoth I,
“Whither, oh whither, oh whither so high?”
“To sweep the cobwebs from the sky
And I'll be with you by and by.”

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond; lots to be going on with but please keep the suggestions coming.

All the best,
Harry

Not traditional, but written in the traditional idiom by Karine Polwart: "The Dreadful End of Marianna for Sorcery". On Malinky's "Last Leaves" album.

Witches and War Whoops: Early New England Ballads

not traditional: Susanna Martin (in DT)

Florence and Jean - a Two Magicians variant from Occitania

Do you mean specifically witchcraft as opposed to the supernatural in general? If so that cuts the field down considerably. Casting spells and shapechanging would fit but not devils and fairies. Also there are ballads of people being accused of witchcraft in earlier centuries as already mentioned.

At present, I'm specifically interested in witches and witchcraft rather than the more general supernatural. I'm looking for songs/ballads recounting either historic events (such as the Pendle witch trials) or fictitious examples of witches using their craft.

The parameters may change with time.

You might find some interesting material on some of the broadside sites

Bodleian Broadside Ballads,
National Library of Scotland
EBBA at UCSB.

Specific reference to witches is rare in oral tradition.

Some remarks about witches in British Folk (in German):
https://norbert-knape.de/?p=848

A WITCH’S GUIDE TO ESCAPE
NP 2019
(Fits to the hymn tune ‘Marching’ "Through the night of doubt and sorrow")

Through the years you give the books out, honouring the lib’ry creed
Give the kids the books they ask for, not the ones they really need.

Slowly, try to train their reading, guide them from the primrose path,
Never heed your colleague’s tutting, never fear the witches wrath.

Ev’ry day you fight your conscience, knowing that one day you’ll lose
(and) Give a child books that will help them, not the ones the child would choose.

Out of sight are books of learning, ancient tomes of hidden lore.
Needed for that final lesson, needed then, but not before.

Then at last the child, quite ready, reads the book that sets them free.
And ‘the book’ returns to storage, drawn from Salem’s library.

Based on the 'short story' winner of the Hugo awards (Dublin 2019) Story here

Willie's Lady. An old ballad about Willie, his bride from away, and his mother, a witch for sure.

Willie's Lady by the very talented Celtic trio Triantan, the members are still singing, but alas no longer together

"The hag is astride"
a seventeenth century poem about witches, sung to a seventeenth century tune (originally about angling.)

Harry, If you are still looking for songs featuring witches here is one I wrote last year about something that happened in my hometown of Newcastle, UK.

TWENTY SHILLINGS EACH
(Bill Dodds)

There were two Ellenor’s, Margrit’s and Elisabeth’s
Three Jane’s, one Mary, Kattren, Aylis, Isabell and Ann
Standing together, watching and waiting
Hoping and praying that cruel men will change their minds

Twenty sixth of March, sixteen forty nine, madness descended
Twenty pieces of silver, twenty shillings each
That was the price they were worth

In sixteen thirty six, a third of the people
In the town of Newcastle were killed by Bubonic Plague
Sixteen forty four, an army from Scotland
Occupied the city for more than seven hundred days

Pestilence and plague, death and destruction were blamed on witches
The town became ready to give praise to the Lord
And drive the Devil from their town

In sixteen forty nine, John the bellman
Was asking people if neighbours were practicing ‘Black Arts’
Grudges and grievances, gossip and rumour
Greed and envy soon gave him a list of thirty names

City fathers, put them all on trial, to end this nightmare
Thirty women, and a man
Ready to face, Puritan laws

A finder of witches was brought down from Scotland
The women stripped naked, their bodies searched for Devil’s marks
Pricked with a bodkin to see if they bled
No chance at all, facing a spring loaded blade

Paid by results, most were found guilty, a cruel fate awaited
Death was the sentence, to be hung by the neck
Thou shalt not, suffer a witch to live

Crowds had gathered on the Town Moor of Newcastle
In front of wooden scaffolds, that frosty first day of spring
Fourteen women, victims of malice
Prejudice and fear, were hoping for reprieve

Twenty sixth of March, sixteen forty nine, madness descended
Twenty pieces of silver, twenty shillings each
That was the price that finally sealed their fate

There were two Ellenor’s, Margrit’s and Elisabeth’s
Three Jane’s, one Mary, Kattren, Aylis, Isabell and Ann
Standing together, shivering and trembling
Learning the hard way that cruel men never change their minds

Footnote
Eleanor Lownsdale, spoke up for the women (then was accused herself)

14 witches, 1 wizard, 9 moss troopers were hung on the same day on Newcastle Town Moor (half a mile from where I live).

The Scottish Witchfinder was responsible for 220 deaths (he was eventually found to be a fraud and hung)

Bill, what was the twenty shillings for? Was that a bounty paid to those who reported someone to be a witch?
I really enjoyed the song.
-Joe-

Though this is not songs per se , I have recently read and enjoyed 4 novels about witches and their family craft, written by Pacific NW author, musician/singer/teacher, yogini, et al LOUISA MORGAN :

Two novels are set mainly in Brittany and England and concern a Romany family : The Great Witch of Brittany + A Secret History of Witches; two are set mainly in the US and also England : The Age of Witches + The Witch's Kind.

I can recommend all four! I will also be checking out her many others ( e.g. "The Glass Harmonica").

I had to put this project on hold but I still have all my research notes and I'm planning on returning to it later this year.

Thank you to all who continue to contribute with suggestions.

Joe, this 'witchfinder' was paid 20 shillings for each witch who was found and convicted. Obviously with a financial incentive like this it was in the witchfinders interest to find and convict as many as possible.

A suspected witch who was pricked by a blade and didn't bleed was nearly always found guilty. It was alleged that this particular witchfinder used a spring loaded blade to avoid drawing blood.

Lots of people accused neighbours and enemies of being a witch as a way to settle old scores, get rid of love rivals etc.

This was the largest single execution of 'witches' in England. Overall, up to 1,000 in England were killed for being a witch, 90% of them were women. Over 2,500 'witches' were killed in Scotland, 84% of them were women.

Where do you get these figures?

Latest research puts the numbers for England much lower. From 1560 to 1685, when the last execution of a 'witch' took place in Devon, just over 500 (mainly older women) were put on trial which resulted in 112 executions.

Similarly for Scotland, modern research puts the number at closer to 1500 executions with a major increase in persecutions following James VI's marriage to Anne of Denmark in 1590.

If I'm wrong on this I'd be interested to read your sources.

Not traditional, but appropriate!
- The Burning Times (Charlie Murphy?)

There's a song called Witch Margaret, apparently one of the Cild ballads? A friend just had it set to music.

Sea Witch of Orkney.

A song written about this famous Orkney Story.

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I'd second the recommendation for Wimberly's book. One of my favourite songs about the use of witchcraft is Willie's Lady (Child number 6) which I've never got round to learning - but I will one day. I also remember Dave and Toni Arthur's Hearken to the Witches Rune from 1971 and, although I haven't heard it, Kate and Corwen (Ancient Music ) have a CD out with several tracks which may be relevant)

The knights, armed with swords and shields, set out to confront the beast and put an end to its reign of chaos. In a fierce battle that lasted for days, the knights and the Witch Dragon Santa Maria fought tooth and claw. The dragon's fiery breath and powerful spells were formidable, but the knights' determination and skill eventually won the day. With a final strike from a brave young knight, the dragon was defeated and its supernatural powers banished. Since then, the Witch Dragon Santa Maria has become a symbol of both fear and respect. Some view it as a cautionary tale, a reminder of the dangers that can arise from unchecked magic and power. Others see it as a representation of the inherent strength and bravery of humanity in the face of adversity. The legend of the Witch Dragon Santa Maria continues to captivate imaginations to this day. Whether seen as a terrifying creature or a symbol of resilience, its story serves as a reminder of the enduring power of myth and the primal fascination humans have with dragons..

Reviews for "The healing powers attributed to the Witch dragon Santa Maria"

1. Emily - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Witch Dragon Santa Maria". The pacing was all over the place and the story felt disjointed. It felt like the author was trying to include too many plotlines and they didn't fully develop any of them. Additionally, the characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. I found it hard to connect with any of them or care about their fates. Overall, I had high hopes for this book but it fell short on delivering a captivating and well-crafted story.

2. David - 1/5 - I regret picking up "Witch Dragon Santa Maria". The book was incredibly confusing and hard to follow. The plot was convoluted and the author didn't explain key elements, leaving me feeling lost and frustrated. The writing style was also lacking, with awkward and clunky sentences throughout. I couldn't get invested in the story or the characters, and it ultimately felt like a waste of time. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging fantasy novel.

3. Sarah - 2/5 - "Witch Dragon Santa Maria" had an interesting concept, but it failed to deliver a compelling story. The pacing was too slow, and I found myself losing interest multiple times throughout the book. The world-building was vague and didn't feel fully developed, leaving me with more questions than answers. The dialogue also felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to engage with the characters. Overall, I was left disappointed and wouldn't recommend this book to others.

4. James - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Witch Dragon Santa Maria", but it failed to meet my expectations. The plot felt cliché and unoriginal, lacking any surprising or unpredictable elements. The characters were also forgettable and lacked depth. I found the writing style to be repetitive and the descriptions overly detailed. It was difficult to stay engaged with the story, and I felt like I was just going through the motions until the end. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique and captivating fantasy read.

5. Samantha - 1/5 - "Witch Dragon Santa Maria" was a complete letdown. The story lacked coherence and the characters were difficult to relate to. The dialogue was stilted and the pacing was all over the place, making it hard to follow. Additionally, there were numerous grammatical errors throughout the book, which was distracting and took away from the reading experience. Overall, I didn't enjoy this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.

The Witch dragon Santa Maria: A misunderstood creature