Alison Gross [English translation]

Alison Gross that lives in yon tower, (castle)

the ugliest witch in the North Country,

has trysted me one day up to her bower, (cage/lair)

and many a fair speech she made to me.

She patted my cheek and stroked my hair,

so softly she set me on her knee :

(saying) if you will be my lover so true,

so many good things I would give to thee.

Away, away, you ugly witch,

go far away and let me be.

I never will be your lover so true,

and I wish I were out of your company.

Alison Gross that lives in yon tower,

the ugliest witch in the North Country. (X2)

She showed me a shirt of the softest silk

with golden flowers and small pearls :

(saying) if you will be my lover so true,

this goodly gift you must have.

She showed me a mantle of red scarlet

with golden flowers and silk so fine :

(saying) if you will be my lover so true,

this goodly gift it shall be thine.

Away, away, you ugly witch,

go far away and let me be.

I never will be your lover so true,

and I wish I were out of your company.

Alison Gross that lives in yon tower,

the ugliest witch in the North Country. (X2)

Then out she has taken a silver wand,

she's turned three times round and round,

she muttered a strange witch spell

and like dead I fell to the ground.

She's turned me into an ugly worm

to use me at the tree base.

I would rather meander under a tree

before kissing that witch's mouth.

The evening before All Saints Day

at the day of the river festival

a queen went down(?) to a green hill

not far from the tree where I was.

She took me in her milky white hand,

she petted me three times over her knee.

then I took form and became man again.

no longer will I meander under the tree.

Alison Gross that lives in yon tower,

the ugliest witch in the North Country. (X2)

• Artist:Folque
• Album:Folque