Lyr ADD: Black Annis / Black Annis's Lair

Subject: Lyr Req: Black Annis by Solas
From: Bearheart
Date: 30 Mar 05 - 05:28 PM

Found threads using this title but nothing relevant to the song. Looking for the words for my niece.
Can anyone help?
Thanks
Bekki

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK ANNIS (from Solas)
From: Peace
Date: 30 Mar 05 - 05:53 PM

It seems the official title is "Prelude #1/Black Annis". I hope this is what you want, Bekki.

Black Annis

When Annis built this cage
I saw the blueprint on the table
But I was too young to run
She lured me from my play
To her clandestine domain
To tend her illicit garden

Black, black soul
And Annis takes her toll

And from her veil of black
With all the mirrors at her back
She called me into her guarded empire
I treaded soft and lightly
Fear trembling so slightly
Snows in my bones I dream of the white sea

Chorus:
Black, black soul
And Annis takes her toll
Child of sin
Black Annis wins again

When Annis roared and jeered
I knew that no one leaves from here
Her fervid anger don't spare anything
In the frenzy of my senses
She confiscated my defenses
With all the forces of night

When Annis built this cage
I saw the blueprint on the table
But I was too young to run
She lured me from my play
To her clandestine domain
To tend her illicit garden

(Chorus twice)

Black, black soul

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Annis by Solas
From: GUEST,Lighter at work
Date: 30 Mar 05 - 07:11 PM

Not a rewrite of "Little Sir Hugh"!?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Annis by Solas
From: Bearheart
Date: 30 Mar 05 - 11:47 PM

Thanks Bruce.
While we are at it, any info on who wrote it or the story behind it? doesn't sound traditional.
Bekki

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Annis by Solas
From: Peace
Date: 31 Mar 05 - 12:41 PM

Near's I can figure, it was written by Solas; however,

1) I could be wrong
2) I know not who from the group

Sorry, but someone who has the CD will have to get the info from the 'liner notes'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Annis (Solas)
From: GUEST,Rory
Date: 01 Jan 21 - 05:23 AM

Black Annis

Song written by Singer/songwriter Antje Duvekot 2002
Album: Little Peppermints (2002)

Recorded by Solas in 2002
Album: The Edge of Silence
Song: Prelude #1/Black Annis

Solas has previously recorded five of Duvekot's songs: "Black Annis," "The Poisonjester's Mask," "Erin," "Reasonland," and "Merry Go Round."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Annis (Solas)
From: Acorn4
Date: 01 Jan 21 - 06:15 AM

There is a version of the legend is local to the Danehills area of Leicester.

One of our local womens' morris sides has named itself after the legendary figure:-

Another interpretation of the Legend:-

Black Annis's Lair

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Annis (Solas)
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jan 21 - 07:17 AM

Mudcat needs a Pseuds Corner thread.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Annis (Solas)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 01 Jan 21 - 03:50 PM

...that was me.

I was expecting this to be about Black Agnes of Dunbar, who could be the focus of a song worth hearing.

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Black Annis's Lair
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Oct 23 - 03:53 PM

Black Annis's Lair
from Legends of Leicester and Leicestershire - volume 2 by Steve Cartwright/DaveTaylor


The legendary “hag-witch”, Black Annis was reputed to inhabit a cave in the Danehills area of Leicester (the cave definitely did exist – it’s on an early OS map!). Near the cave was an old gnarled oak tree. She would hide in the tree and pounce on any animals or children that came near the cave. She would devour them, suck the blood and wear the dried skins around her waste. She had sharp claws, mackerel blue skin and, according to some sources, one eye. It is possible that the legend was used by parents to frighten naughty children into obedience! As late as 1942 some evacuee children recounted being told the tale of Annis. She could also appear as a cat and, apparently was still around in 1485, when her spirit entered the body of one “Meg” who placed a curse on Richard lll as he crossed Bow Bridge before his final fatal battle. Some sources claim that Black Annis was in fact, like King Lear, a manifestation of an old Celtic goddess called Danu.
lyrics

BLACK ANNIS'S LAIR
Steve Cartwright/DaveTaylor

1. Sired by a wolf quite possibly, but of uncertain pedigree,
One of many tales that are spoke, of her cave by that old gnarled oak,


2. She’ll steal a sheep or a child that strays, suck the blood and the flesh she’ll taste,
Hang the skins out there to dry or wear them tied around her waist.

The good die young or so they say, could be why she’s still around today,
Somewhere lurking down Danehills way, Patiently in wait she’ll lay
So you’ll still need to take great care, don’t go near Black Annis’s lair!

3. From hert cave they say she clawed a tunnel right down to the Soar,
And used this passage quick and clear, to find the tomb of old King Lear.

4. Not a pretty sight presented, sharp nails and skin of mackerel blue,
Down by the grove where the druids last wented, through til 1942

The good die young or so they say, could be why she’s still around today,
Somewhere lurking down Danehills way, Patiently in wait she’ll lay
So you’ll still need to take great care, don’t go near Black Annis’s lair!

5. The cave filled in the oak was felled, and carved into a fine oak bed,
But cursed were those who slept therein, just like King Dick, well, enough said!

6. On that fateful day she was there to curse him, on that old Bow Bridge his spurs made a spark,
Stripped of his pride on his return, on that day she played her part..

The good die young or so they say, could be why she’s still around today,
Somewhere lurking down Danehills way, Patiently in wait she’ll lay
So you’ll still need to take great care, don’t go near Black Annis’s lair!

7. Once it was thought a man had slain her, screams were head 5 miles away,
But don’t think you have heard the last of her she’ll bide my time and come back one day.

8. She still lives on in Super Nintendo, Dungeons and Dragons, Discworld too,
And in that ladies morris team, even got an entry on “Who’s Who?”
(she could by hiding down your loo!)

The good die young or so they say, could be why she’s still around today,
Somewhere lurking down Danehills way, Patiently in wait
she’ll lay
So you’ll still need to take great care, don’t go near Black Annis’s lair!
credits
from Legends of Leicester and Leicestershire - volume 2, released November 15, 2020


https://davetaylor1.bandcamp.com/track/black-anniss-lair

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Black Annis / Black Annis's Lair
From: Acorn4
Date: 30 Oct 23 - 07:34 PM

This is video version of the above including some ways in which Black Annis has been portrayed and including a clip of the Women's Morris side:- Black Annis's Lair

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Black Annis's Lair
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Oct 23 - 03:53 PM

Black Annis's Lair
from Legends of Leicester and Leicestershire - volume 2 by Steve Cartwright/DaveTaylor


The legendary “hag-witch”, Black Annis was reputed to inhabit a cave in the Danehills area of Leicester (the cave definitely did exist – it’s on an early OS map!). Near the cave was an old gnarled oak tree. She would hide in the tree and pounce on any animals or children that came near the cave. She would devour them, suck the blood and wear the dried skins around her waste. She had sharp claws, mackerel blue skin and, according to some sources, one eye. It is possible that the legend was used by parents to frighten naughty children into obedience! As late as 1942 some evacuee children recounted being told the tale of Annis. She could also appear as a cat and, apparently was still around in 1485, when her spirit entered the body of one “Meg” who placed a curse on Richard lll as he crossed Bow Bridge before his final fatal battle. Some sources claim that Black Annis was in fact, like King Lear, a manifestation of an old Celtic goddess called Danu.
lyrics

BLACK ANNIS'S LAIR
Steve Cartwright/DaveTaylor

1. Sired by a wolf quite possibly, but of uncertain pedigree,
One of many tales that are spoke, of her cave by that old gnarled oak,


2. She’ll steal a sheep or a child that strays, suck the blood and the flesh she’ll taste,
Hang the skins out there to dry or wear them tied around her waist.

The good die young or so they say, could be why she’s still around today,
Somewhere lurking down Danehills way, Patiently in wait she’ll lay
So you’ll still need to take great care, don’t go near Black Annis’s lair!

3. From hert cave they say she clawed a tunnel right down to the Soar,
And used this passage quick and clear, to find the tomb of old King Lear.

4. Not a pretty sight presented, sharp nails and skin of mackerel blue,
Down by the grove where the druids last wented, through til 1942

The good die young or so they say, could be why she’s still around today,
Somewhere lurking down Danehills way, Patiently in wait she’ll lay
So you’ll still need to take great care, don’t go near Black Annis’s lair!

5. The cave filled in the oak was felled, and carved into a fine oak bed,
But cursed were those who slept therein, just like King Dick, well, enough said!

6. On that fateful day she was there to curse him, on that old Bow Bridge his spurs made a spark,
Stripped of his pride on his return, on that day she played her part..

The good die young or so they say, could be why she’s still around today,
Somewhere lurking down Danehills way, Patiently in wait she’ll lay
So you’ll still need to take great care, don’t go near Black Annis’s lair!

7. Once it was thought a man had slain her, screams were head 5 miles away,
But don’t think you have heard the last of her she’ll bide my time and come back one day.

8. She still lives on in Super Nintendo, Dungeons and Dragons, Discworld too,
And in that ladies morris team, even got an entry on “Who’s Who?”
(she could by hiding down your loo!)

The good die young or so they say, could be why she’s still around today,
Somewhere lurking down Danehills way, Patiently in wait
she’ll lay
So you’ll still need to take great care, don’t go near Black Annis’s lair!
credits
from Legends of Leicester and Leicestershire - volume 2, released November 15, 2020


https://davetaylor1.bandcamp.com/track/black-anniss-lair

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Black Annis / Black Annis's Lair
From: Acorn4
Date: 30 Oct 23 - 07:34 PM

This is video version of the above including some ways in which Black Annis has been portrayed and including a clip of the Women's Morris side:- Black Annis's Lair