Royal Forester Lyrics - Live At A Distance - Steeleye Span

Alison Gross that lives in yon tower 

The ugliest witch in the North Country 

Has trysted me one day up to her bower 

And many a fair speech she made to me 

She stroked my head and she combed my hair 

She set me down softly on her knee 

Saying if you will be my lover so true 

So many good things I would give to you 

Away, away, you ugly witch 

Go far away and let me be 

I never will be your lover so true 

And wish I were out of your community 

[Chorus] 

Alison Gross she must be 

The ugliest witch in the North Country 

Alison Gross she must be 

The ugliest witch in the North Country 

She showed me a mantle of red scarlet 

With golden flowers and fringes fine 

Saying if you will be my lover so true 

This goodly gift it shall be thine 

She showed me a shirt of the softest silk 

Well wrought with pearls abound the band 

Saying if you will be my lover so true 

This goodly gift you shall command 

[Chorus] 

She showed me a cup of the good red gold 

Well set with jewels so fair to see 

Saying if you will be my lover so true 

This goodly gift I will give to thee 

Away, away, you ugly witch 

Go far away and let me be 

I never would kiss your ugly mouth 

For all of the gifts that you could give 

[Chorus] 

She turned her right and round about 

And thrice she blew on a grass-green horn 

She swore by the moon and the stars of above 

That she'd make me rue the day I was born 

The out she has taken a silver wand 

She's turned her three times round and round 

She muttered such words till my strength it did fail 

And she's turned me into an ugly worm 

[Chorus]