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about

A song about Temperence Lloyd. The last woman to be hung in the UK for alleged witchcraft.

lyrics

The Tree

As a girl she always hoped to see
The young elms of Northern Hay
Rising up against the Roman walls
But the soldier said “They’re old now”
As she pulled away to gaze upon them
In awe of how they looked so strong and tall.

She said “Is this the place, where they’ll make me hang?
And will these elms give them the frame they need?”
And he said “Don’t make such foolish talk,
I’ll hedge a bet that in three days you will be free.”

She said “These trees have been a sign of good things to come
For so very long. And hope is a hymn I’ve always sung,
But time is like the devil with its own time and it’s own dance.”

She steadied her gait, one hand on the red stone
The other treasured in the soldiers’ palms.
She could have been his mother as he left her in that cell,
Still felt her failing bones against his arms.

But she hung upon his words
Lay there like her saviour
Until the third sunrise kissed her face
And from the window of her cell, those trees they held aloft
The very taste of saving grace.

She said “These trees have been a sign of good things to come
For so very long. And hope is a hymn I’ve always sung,
But time is like the devil with its own time and it’s own dance.”

She stood before the judge, there was pity in his eyes
As he read the verdict based on so many many lies.
He said “In this modern age I ought to set you free,
But the crowd won’t be rested until they believe.
That the devil and his witches work is truly made to cease.
There won’t be harmony until they’re at peace.
I have no Avenue for which to make this stop
Other than hanging you from the Heavitree drop.

They took her body from the gallows
Tied it to a tree.
Hanging fruit of the witchcraft she enjoyed.
But the soldier couldn’t help but see
The similarity between the savours tree
And that of Temperance Lloyds’s.

He said “These trees have been a sign of good things to come
For so very long. And hope is a hymn I’ve always sung,
But time is like the devil with its own time and it’s own dance.”

credits

from These Rivers Still Run, released June 13, 2021
Written by Matt Hicks

Matt Hicks-Vocals, Guitar, Ukulele
Karen Downs-Violin, cello

license

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about

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Lester T Web Plymouth, UK

Old time, modern time, blues, jazz, folk, Americana story telling, guitar playing, Uke strummer.

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