G'day,
Words and music by Peter Coe and used by Peter and Chris Coe on their 1972 album "Open The Door And Let Us In".

THE WIZARD OF ALDERLEY EDGE

by Peter Coe

From Macclesfield to Mobberley
If you have wares to sell
Don't leave the path at the wizard's inn
Or drink at the wizard's well.

From Mobberley on a bright morning
On a snow white pure bred mare
A farmer rode to Macclesfield
For to sell her at the fair

Over Alderley Edge he took his path
Where the day is endless night
But the mare did halt in a shroud of mist
For the man all clad in white.

Well met said the man as he stood in the path
Won't you sell to me your mare
But the farmer said well she's not for sale
Till I get to Macclesfield fair

Well you can stand all day at the fair
But no bidding you will hear
I'll await your return to this very same place
As the evening does draw near.

Well this farmer he was a puzzled man
As he rode from Macclesfield town
For admiring glances all the day
Could never fill his purse with crowns

So he returned a bitter man
As the sun fell in the sky
And just as he had said that night
The wizard did draw nigh.

Now you must sell to me your mare
For silver and bright gold
And he led the farmer and his mare
Down a path all bright and cold

And they passed through some iron gates
And through a great rock wall
Like moles they went nigh double bent
Till they came to the sleepers' hall.

With fear this farmer wide did gaze
And loudly he did moan
For full dressed knights each with one mount
Except for one alone.

These are King Arthur's gallant men
Who wait on England's need
So fill your purse and leave the mare
And leave the Edge with speed.

Though he left the Edge a very rich man
His story has caused him pain
And those who would search for the iron gates
Will search the Edge in vain

But some do say that old Nell Beck
Did find the iron gates
But most say that she stricken was
With the march hare as her mate.

From Macclesfield to Mobberley
If you have wares to sell
Don't leave the path at the wizard's inn
Or drink at the wizard's well.

Cheers,
Alan