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3 Leaves

from The Mermaid's Lament by Jess Ward

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lyrics

What did you do to enchant me?
Did you take 3 leaves from the old oak tree?
Did you take 3 hairs from the billy goat?
3 drops of nectar from the humming bird's throat?

Lavender, culeb berries and cloves
Tied in the bag with buds of rose
Worn on the body and warmed on your skin
Until every woman is drawn in

Billy - O - Billy - O - Billy - O - Billy
Lie with me under the old oak tree

Did you draw a circle on the cottage floor?
Did you hang sweet thyme up over the door?
Did you cover the bed with the yellow primrose?
And prick your finger on the briar rose?

3 bright drops of your own red blood
3 white feathers from a turtle dove
Powdered patchouli in the mortar stone
Pounded together with a wishing bone

O - Billy - O - Billy - O - Billy
Lie with me under the old oak tree

3 green leaves from the acorn tree
You bound me up in love with thee
3 green leaves from the boughs above
You bound me up in the arms of love

Did you fashion my likeness in a puppet of wax?
Did you twine me to you with a length of flax?
Did you tie my hair in a plait of reeds?
And sprinkle me over with caraway seeds?

Oh, what did you do to enchant me?
All I can do is think on thee
What did you do to enchant me?
You took 3 leaves from the green oak tree

O - Billy - O - Billy - O - Billy - O - Billy
Lie with me under the old oak tree
O - Billy - O - Billy - O - Billy - O - Billy
Lie with me under the old oak tree

credits

from The Mermaid's Lament, released September 21, 2014

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about

Jess Ward image

Jess Ward Wales, UK

I come from Pembrokeshire in West Wales where I have been lucky to live all my life in a land of crashing waves, rugged cliffs, mirrored pools, twisting oaks, windswept thorn and peeping primrose.
After many years performing and creating with my guitar I have now found my dream instrument in the Celtic lever harp.
I play a Telor model, made at Telynau Teifi, The Harp Centre of Wales in Llandysul. ... more

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