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Summary: The
Factor tries to put the moves on to Marianna, but she tells
him that she's actually in love with John Sinclair - the
Factor is so affronted that he accuses Marianna of Witchcraft,
and secures a burning at the stake after bribing Sinclair
to speak against her with a new coat.
Moral: Don't accuse
people of witchcraft.
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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
he said, "Lie with me now, Marianna
and you will not want for gold"
"Well, I thank you for your 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
Soon there came a deputation
Marianna for to see
For to slight her reputation
"The de'il has laid his hands 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"
Seven evenings, seven mornings
they spoke of Marianna ill
There they shamed her, stripped her and 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"
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"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
"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've shorn the hair from Marianna
the witch's snare o' gowden thread
Marched her tae the Gallowsha' and
whipped her sair until she bled
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 'til 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
Additional Information:
This song featured in Dave's Angle
on episode 54 of the Garden Sessions FREE fortnightly internet
radio show (or Podcast).
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