Harmonium 2

A changeling born of Burslem town, She shunned her mother in favour of sow, Upon her shoulder her familiar crow, Of Molly Leigh, so the story goes She’d make her ways up and down the streets, With a cart of hay and soured milk, Past the whispers of rumours rife, Don’t cross Molly Leigh or she’ll witch thee The reverend could stand Molly no more, With a gut full of ale he duly swore, “I will not rest til I see her hang, For am I not a Christian man” And as he said these fateful words, A crow did caw and the ale turned, The reverend cried in agony, “I swear that witch has poisoned me” When he rose from his bed a month had passed The crone was no more he’d missed his chance To his surprise he found she had not hanged Instead interred in holy ground “Damn the fool priest Damn Molly leigh I swear to the Lord this shall not be I will prize the lid of your hell bound tomb And drive a stake to the heart of thee” In the Yard of St John’s All Hallows Eve We sing these words as summons to thee In the hopes you may someday find peace Oh I ask you won’t you play with me Molly Leigh, Molly Leigh, You can’t catch me, Chase me round the old apple tree Molly Leigh, Molly Leigh, You shan’t catch me, Chase me down all the holes I can see, Chase me down all the holes I can see

Though I know not what I am held before I know It is not the one you call Lord No holy lamb’s blood, no cross, no crown No god, no master, just cold hard ground Baptised at thirteen and submerged for my sin To keep the man quiet, have my path begin For the scripture you teach I cannot believe To you it’s divine and to me it’s false pride Every young Sunday, marched up to your door Away from the joys of play and of love Redemptional hymns drone through the halls, Rejoicing in songs of eternal life I would see the flock tremble and shiver and shake Arms outstretched, for their miracle day With heads bowed low, the coffers would fill Part not with your pennies, All love should be free Plant a new seed And worship free, Let the Earth and Trees, Bring comfort to thee No trumpet will call No saviour will rise Let the Earth and Trees Bring comfort to thee

My shield may be broken, My sword may be dull, No rest ‘til this fight is won, You’ve taken from us all freedoms you can, You’ll quell this fire no more You know who I am, You’ve seen us before We work the mill and field, We built your palace brick by brick, Brought harvest to your door LO! The tide has come From valley, high tor, The city and more, You’ll hear our rallying call All we ask is the world so give us our turn We have no fear of ruin You know who I am, You’ve seen us before We work the mill and field, We built your palace brick by brick, Brought harvest to your door LO! The tide has come