Origins: Alison Cross / Allison Gross (Child #35)

Subject: Lyr Add: ALISON GROSS (from Steeleye Span)^^
From: Snuffy
Date: 11 Sep 00 - 07:04 PM

Just to keep the record straight, this is what Steeleye Span actually sing

ALISON GROSS

Oh, Alison Gross, that lives in yon tower
The ugliest witch in the north country
Has trysted me one day up to her bower
And many a fair speech she made to me

She stroked my head and she combed my hair
And she set me down softly on her knee
Saying, "If you will be my lover so true
So many good things I would give to you'"

"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, she must be
The ugliest witch in the north country
Alison Gross, she must be
The ugliest witch in the north country

She showed me a mantle of red scarlet
With golden flowers and fringes fine
Saying, "If you will be my lover so true
This goodly gift it shall be thine"

She showed me a shirt of the softest silk
Well wrought with pearls about the band
Saying, "If you will be my lover so true
This goodly gift you shall command"

Alison Gross, she must be
The ugliest witch in the north country
Alison Gross, she must be
The ugliest witch in the north country

She showed me a cup of the good red gold
Well set with jewels so fair to see
Saying, "If you will be my lover so true
This goodly gift I would give to thee"

"Away, away, you ugly witch
Go far away and let me be
I never would kiss your ugly mouth
For all of the gifts that you could give"

Alison Gross, she must be
The ugliest witch in the north country
Alison Gross, she must be
The ugliest witch in the north country

She's turned her right and round about
And thrice she blew on a grass-green horn
She swore by the moon and the stars up above
That she'd make me rue the day I was born

Then out she has taken a silver wand
She's turned her three times round and round
She's muttered such words till my strength it did fail
And she's turned me into an ugly worm

Alison Gross, she must be
The ugliest witch in the north country
Alison Gross, she must be
The ugliest witch in the north country

Alison Gross, she must be
The ugliest witch in the north country
Alison Gross, she must be

Wassail! V
^^

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Allison Gross
From: Barbara
Date: 11 Sep 00 - 02:52 PM

I'm planning on transcribing the tune in the next day or so from the STeeleye Span version, so I can see what I come up with for words at the same time.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Allison Gross
From: Jock Morris
Date: 11 Sep 00 - 12:27 PM

I believe it is a Scottish song, though usually known across here as Alison Cross. Malinky (excellent young Scottish band) have a version on their new CD. I'll try and find the time to post the lyrics tomorrow. Their version is very similar to the DT version, but the Scots language is better than the DT version.

Jock Morris

Subject: Allison Gross
From: Snuffy
Date: 11 Sep 00 - 09:59 AM

The version in the DT states: Child#35 Recorded by Steeleye Span, Parcel of Rogues

but the text is not Steeleye's version. The Steeleye version only covers the first 2/3 of what's in DT, has been "translated" into English, and has a chorus which is not in DT.

The DT version appears to be Scottish in origin and presumably older. Is it from Child or has it come from elsewhere?

Is the Steeleye Span tune the one traditionally associated with this older version? Or did they "borrow" their tune from somewhere else?

Wassail! V