Brian Peters - Kemp Owyne lyrics

O, come list a while, my bonny child Lay your head low on my knee A dreadful tale I'll tell to you Concerning of a fair lady Her mother died when she was young Causing her to weep and moan; Her father wed the worst woman That ever lived in Christendom She served her with foot and hand But, O, her stepmother loved not she She has cursed that bonny maid And thrown her in the salt, salt sea Saying, "Lie you there, Dove Isabel A dreadful beast condemned to be 'Til Kemp Owyne, the King's son Shall borrow you with kisses three." Her neck grew long, her teeth grew strong On her forefeet she did fall Every breath brought smoke and fire On Eastmuir Crag condemned to crawl "O, it's from this rock I'll never rise No man on earth shall set me free 'Til Kemp Owyne, the King's son Shall climb the crag and thrice kiss me." Now word has gone to Kemp Owyne The fiery beast was in his land He has taken a bonny boat And steered it with his own fair hand A mile before he reached the shore The sky glowed red, though the sun was dim And as he set his foot on land The fiery heat blistered his skin "O, it's from this rock I'll never rise No man on earth shall set me free 'Til Kemp Owyne, the King's son Shall climb the crag and thrice kiss me." So he's mounted up the Eastmuir Crag He has given her kisses one Away she went, and back she came The foulest beast in Christendom "O, it's from this rock I'll never rise No man on earth shall set me free 'Til Kemp Owyne, the King's son Shall climb the crag and thrice kiss me." So he's mounted up the Eastmuir Crag He has given her kisses two Away she went, and back she came And from her mouth the fires still flew "O, it's from this rock I'll never rise No man on earth shall set me free 'Til Kemp Owyne, the King's son Shall climb the crag and thrice kiss me." So he's mounted up the Eastmuir Crag He has given her kisses three Away she went, and back she came The fairest lady that e'er was seen "O, was it wolf into the wood Was it fish into the sea Was it man, or vile woman My own dear love, that changed thee?" "O, it was not wolf into the wood It was not fish into the sea But it was my cruel stepmother Forever cursed may she be!" "A heavier curse fall her upon Than ever fell on vile woman; In Wormie's Wood she'll walk alone And none take pity her upon And relieved shall she never be 'Til all the saints sail o'er the sea."