Hi all

I am reading Robert Westall's excellent book "The Devil on the Road" about witch hunts in the 1600s. In the book an old woman sings a song to the tune Scraborough Fair but the lyrics are a magic spell.

Does anyone know whether these are actually the original words or whether they have been written by Westall for the novel? A google search has brought up nothing. I am guessing that they have been written for the novel because the words are in contemporary English. Anyone have ideas?

The lyrics in the book are:

Will you make me a fine cambric shirt
Parley with Red Mary in time
Remember me to one who rides by
She was once a true love of mine.

First there was one and then there were two
Three and six and then there were nine
The Devill will make you a fine cambric shirt
Mary was once a true love of mine.

Off with her gown and off with her shoon
Off with her kirtle all made of green
Off with her skin and break up the bones
Now she's gone, she's no love of mine.

Callie