or, The Ensorcelled Son Words and music by Rhonwen y Llysieuyddes (m.k.a. Julia Howarth West)
Oh, Robert de Spencer had a son, Sing hey a way a way-oh, A lad of four; a lively boy, His father's pride and his mother's joy-- But other folks he did annoy. Sing hey a way a way-oh. Oh, Neville was a naughty child, Sing hey a way a way-oh, The cats he'd tease, the dog he'd bite, And with his sisters he would fight. He was the terror of Hold Tyte. Sing hey a way a way-oh, He'd fill the horses' tails with burs. Sing hey a way a way-oh, He set the tapestries on fire And threw his clothing in the mire. And once he tripped a passing friar. Sing hey a way a way-oh, He wandered from the Hold one day. Sing hey a way a way-oh, He found a cottage 'mongst the trees And entered like a vagrant breeze Without the merest "If you please." Sing hey a way a way-oh, Inside he found the nicest toys-- Sing hey a way a way-oh, A skull, all shiny clean and white, Some bottles full of liquids bright, A tall hat black as darkest night. Sing hey a way a way-oh, He climbed up on the table there. Sing hey a way a way-oh, He thought that it would be such fun To dump the bottles one by one And mix the contents when 'twas done. Sing hey a way a way-oh, Then came the owner of the cot; Sing hey a way a way-oh, A powerful enchanter he, Who, when the naughty boy did see, Did utter curses wrathfully. Sing hey a way a way-oh, Young Neville turned to run away, Sing hey a way a way-oh, Strange vapors rose around his head, He choked and gasped, his face turned red, And then he fell, ah!--seeming dead. Sing hey a way a way-oh, The smoke cleared slowly from the room. Sing hey a way a way-oh, No human child could there be seen-- Only a ferret, small and lean, Crying out with frightment keen. Sing hey a way a way-oh, The word came swiftly to Hold Tyte Sing hey a way a way-oh, Of what the great enchanter'd done To their obnoxious little son. They knew their woes had just begun. Sing hey a way a way-oh, To the enchanter's cot they went. Sing hey a way a way-oh, They found the boy'd been sent away That for his mischief he would pay; They'd not see him for many a day. Sing hey a way a way-oh, They sought throughout all Atenveldt, Sing hey a way a way-oh, From wizard's cave to sorcerer's lair They searched for Neville everywhere And came at last to Caerthe fair. Sing hey a way a way-oh, And finally they found the lad! Sing hey a way a way-oh, A white witch had him in her care-- For four long years she'd kept him there; To break the spell she did not dare. Sing hey a way a way-oh, De Spencer pled for his son's return. Sing hey a way a way-oh, But the witch said it would be in vain, "I fear a ferret he'll remain Until he learns to use his brain." Sing hey a way a way-oh, She brought him out for them to see. Sing hey a way a way-oh, They looked at him without surprise-- The pointed nose and beady eyes Would mark him under any guise! Sing hey a way a way-oh, So home they took their wayward son. Sing hey a way a way-oh, And all his relatives do say They hope a ferret he will stay-- They think him much improved that way! Sing hey a way a way-oh,
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