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Alison Cross – an hypnotic tune, the burnt-iron tang of magic in the air, and a rattling good story. What's not to like about this magnificent tale of a man's enchantment by the lecherous old witch, and his eventual release by the Queen of the Seely (fairy) Court. Elspeth learned this variant of Child Ballad 35 from the late Lizzie Higgins, Aberdeen.

lyrics

ALISON CROSS

Auld Alison Cross she lives in yon tower
The ugliest witch in the north country
She's trysted me ae day til her bower
And mony braw speech she's made to me

Chorus: (But I personally do not sing it after each verse)
Awa, awa, ye ugly witch
Haud far awa' an' lat me be
Afore I'll kiss yer ugly mou'
I'd raither toddle aroon' the tree

She showed me a mantle o' reid scarlet
Wrocht wi' golden fringes fine
Gin ye'll be my leman sae true
This guidly gift, it sall be thine

She showed me a sark o' the saftest silk
Weel wrocht wi pearls aboun the band
Gin ye will be my leman sae true
This guidly gift at your command

She showed me a cup o' the guid red gowd
Weel set wi' jewels sae fair and' fine
Gin ye'll be my leman sae true
This guidly gift, it sall be thine

Chorus:
Awa, awa, ye ugly witch
Haud far awa' an' lat me be
Afore I'll kiss yer ugly mou'
I'd raither toddle aroon' the tree

She's ta'en oot her grass green horn
She's blew it three times loud and shrill
She swore by the moon and stars abune
She'd gar him rue the day that he was born

She's taen oot her silver wand
She's strik'd it three times on the tree
She muttered sic words that my senses reeled
And I fell doon senseless tae the groun'

Wi' silver basin an' silver kaim
Tae kaim my heidie upon her knee
High on ilka Saturday nicht
Auld Alison Cross she's cam tae me

Chorus:
Awa, awa, ye ugly witch
Haud far awa' an' lat me be
Afore I'll kiss yer ugly mou'
I'd raither toddle aroon' the tree

(Well) it fell upon last Hallowe'en
When the Seely Court cam ridin' by
The Queen's lichted on a gowan bank
Nae far frae the tree whaur I did lie

She's liftet me in her milk-white hauns
She's striked me three times on her knee
She's turned me back tae ma proper shape
Nae mair I'll toddle aroon' the tree

Chorus:
Awa, awa, ye ugly witch
Haud far awa' an' lat me be
Afore I'll kiss yer ugly mou'
I'd raither toddle aroon' the tree

credits

from Lullabee: A sampler of a cappella songs from Elspeth Cowie, track released January 1, 2000
Traditional, arranged Elspeth Cowie.

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Elspeth Cowie Spain

Elspeth Cowie is a leading singer of folk and traditional songs, notably from Scotland, but also Americana. Her life and musical journey has spanned many places, genres, and decades. This shows in the arrangements she produces across, and sometimes fusing, genres. "If a song's got soul, it's worth singing whatever the label on it," she says. "Why paint with just one colour?" ... more

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