Yep, feed the babies of the world! Lyrics below.

Karine P

THE DREADFUL END OF MARIANNA FOR SORCERY
(Karine Polwart)

1.
Marianna o' the Howe, was
a young lassie wi' gowden hair
Sweet and honest, true and bonnie
and lover of one John Sinclair.
Marianna met the factor
at the dawning, at the fold.
And he said, "Lie with me now Marianna,
and ye will not want for gold"

2.
"Well I thank ye for yer offer
but I fear it canna be.
I maun lie with John Sinclair, for
he's the only one for me."
So the factor, sore affronted,
whispered evil of her name.
Every sorrow and misfortune,
'twas Marianna was to blame.

3.
Soon there came a deputation
Marianna for to see.
For to slight her reputation
"The de'il has laid his hand on ye.
Ye've soured the cream and blighted the corn
and danced wi' fairies on the hill.
Ye who are of devil born and
ye who bow to no man's will."

4.
Seven evenings, seven mornings
they spoke of Marianna ill.
There they shamed her, stripped her & maimed her
but they never tamed her will.
"Let her sweetness not deceive you,
evil hides itself right well.
Once within it will never leave you
Marianna, you'll burn in hell."

5.
"Who are these who stand against me?
Who are these who slight my name?
Let them tell their lies before God
and let them hang their heads in shame."
Then she saw a sight that grieved her
All the hope inside her died.
John Sinclair all clad in satin
Standing at the factor's side.

6.
"I was child and now a woman
But I shall be no man's wife.
For my love has me forsaken
and I want no more of this life".
They tore the hair from Marianna,
the witch's snare of gowden thread.
Marched her tae the Gallowsha'
and whipped her sair until she bled.

7.
In the crowd she spied her lover
and he had his new coat on.
Soon the flames danced all above her
and the people danced till the dawn.
Marianna o' the Howe, was
a young lassie wi' gowden hair.
Sweet and honest, true and bonnie,
betrayed by the factor and John Sinclair.

Inspired by George Mackay Brown's story "Witch" from the collection "A Calendar of Love".

Karine Polwart, Grian Music 1999