Pale was the wounded night
That bore the rowan shield
Loud and cruel were the raven's cries
As he feasted on the field
Saying beck water cold and clear
Will never clean your wound
There's none but the witch of the Westmoreland
Can make thee hale and sound
So turn, turn your stallion's head
Till 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 shadow passed him by
Below the hill 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 westmoreland
Who dwells by the winding mere
And it's weary by the Ullswater
And the misty brakefern way
Till through the cleft of the Kirkstane pass
The winding water lay
He said Lie down my brindled hound
And rest ye my good gray hawk
And thee my stead may graze thy fill
For I must dsmount 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 borne 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
Till his steed was by his side
High overhead the gray hawk flew
And swiftly he did ride
Saying Course well me brindled hound
And fetch me the jet-black mare
Stoop and strike me good gray hawk
And bring me the maiden fair
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