The witch O’ fife lyrics and chords
The chords fit the McCalmans’ version from their album ‚The Ettrick Shepherd’ with capo on 2nd fret
Hur(G)ray, hurray the (C)jade’s a(D7)way,
Like a (G)rocket of air with her (C)banda(D7)let!
I’m (C)up in the (Am)air on my (G)bonny grey (Em)mare,
But I (G)see her yet, I see her yet.
I’ll ring the skirts o’ the gowden wain
Wi’ (C)curb an’ (Am)bit, wi’ (G)curb an’ (Em)bit;
An’ (G)catch the Bear by the frozen (G7)mane,-
An’ I (G)see her yet, I see her yet.
A(G)way, away, o’er (C)mountain an’ (D7)main,
To (G)sing at the morning’s (C)rosy (D7)yett;
An’ (C)water my (Am)mare at its (G)fountain (Em)clear,-
But I (G)see her yet, I see her yet.
Away, thou bonny witch o’ Fife,
On (C)foam of the (Am)air to (G)heave an’ (Em)flit,
An’ (G)little reck thou of a poet’s (G7)life,
For he (G)sees thee yet, he sees thee yet.
Witches have always been a part of human history, whether in the form of mythical beings or real individuals who were accused of practicing witchcraft. One such figure is the infamous Witch O’ Fife, also known as Lilias Adie, who lived in the small Scottish village of Torryburn in the early 1700s. Her story is one that is shrouded in mystery and controversy, but it sheds light on the widespread fear and persecution of witches during that time.
The story of the Witch O’ Fife begins with the turbulent religious and political climate of 17th century Scotland. During this time, the country was torn apart by religious conflicts between the Protestant and Catholic churches, and the belief in witchcraft was rampant. The Church of Scotland, which held great influence over society, preached that witches were agents of the devil and must be eradicated. This led to a witch-hunting frenzy, with thousands of people being accused, tortured, and executed for practicing witchcraft.
In this atmosphere of fear and paranoia, Lilias Adie was born in the small village of Torryburn, Fife. Not much is known about her early life, but it is believed that she lived a simple and unassuming existence as a peasant woman. However, her life took a drastic turn when she was accused of being a witch in 1704. It is said that a local man, who was experiencing financial difficulties, accused Lilias of cursing him and causing his misfortunes. This accusation was enough to spark an investigation, and Lilias was brought before the Kirk Session, a Church court that dealt with cases of witchcraft.
During her trial, Lilias was subjected to brutal torture in an attempt to force a confession out of her. She was stripped naked and her body was searched for “witch’s marks”, which were believed to be the physical manifestation of a pact with the devil. When no marks were found, she was subjected to the infamous “pricking” test, where needles were inserted into her body to find any insensible spots that would prove her guilt. This torture was not only physically agonizing but also mentally traumatizing for Lilias.
Despite the torture, Lilias maintained her innocence and refused to confess to any wrongdoing. This was seen as a sign of defiance and a confirmation of her guilt. She was then sentenced to be imprisoned in the local church for further interrogation. However, before she could be taken to the church, Lilias died in her cell, most likely due to the injuries sustained during the torture.
Her death did not mark the end of her persecution. In a final act of cruelty, Lilias’ body was buried in the mudflats of the Firth of Forth, between the high and low tide marks. This was a common practice for executed witches, as it was believed that their bodies would not be able to rise from the dead and cause harm to the living. In reality, this was a way to deny them a proper burial and a place in the afterlife.
For centuries, the story of the Witch O’ Fife remained a local legend, until her grave was rediscovered in 1852. Her burial site, known as the “Witch’s Stone”, became a place of pilgrimage for those seeking protection from witchcraft. It is said that leaving offerings at her grave would appease her spirit and prevent her from causing harm.
The story of the Witch O’ Fife is a tragic one, and it raises many questions about the treatment of women during the witch-hunting era. Lilias Adie was just one of the thousands of innocent women who were accused, tortured, and executed for crimes they did not commit. Her story is a reminder of the horrors that were inflicted upon those who were perceived to be different or had no power to defend themselves.
In recent years, there have been efforts to rehabilitate Lilias’ reputation and give her a proper burial. In 2019, a group of volunteers, known as the Lilias Adie Society, conducted a survey of her burial site and found evidence of her grave. They are now working towards erecting a memorial in her honor and raising awareness about her story.
In conclusion, the story of the Witch O’ Fife is one that is filled with tragedy, injustice, and the enduring power of myth and legend. Lilias Adie’s life and death serve as a powerful reminder of the dangers of superstition and the consequences of mass hysteria. Her story also highlights the need for us to remember and honor the victims of witch-hunting and strive towards a more just and tolerant society. The Witch O’ Fife may have been a victim of her time, but her legacy will continue to haunt us and serve as a cautionary tale against the dangers of blind belief and persecution.
The story of the Witch O’ Fife begins with the turbulent religious and political climate of 17th century Scotland. During this time, the country was torn apart by religious conflicts between the Protestant and Catholic churches, and the belief in witchcraft was rampant. The Church of Scotland, which held great influence over society, preached that witches were agents of the devil and must be eradicated. This led to a witch-hunting frenzy, with thousands of people being accused, tortured, and executed for practicing witchcraft.
In this atmosphere of fear and paranoia, Lilias Adie was born in the small village of Torryburn, Fife. Not much is known about her early life, but it is believed that she lived a simple and unassuming existence as a peasant woman. However, her life took a drastic turn when she was accused of being a witch in 1704. It is said that a local man, who was experiencing financial difficulties, accused Lilias of cursing him and causing his misfortunes. This accusation was enough to spark an investigation, and Lilias was brought before the Kirk Session, a Church court that dealt with cases of witchcraft.
During her trial, Lilias was subjected to brutal torture in an attempt to force a confession out of her. She was stripped naked and her body was searched for “witch’s marks”, which were believed to be the physical manifestation of a pact with the devil. When no marks were found, she was subjected to the infamous “pricking” test, where needles were inserted into her body to find any insensible spots that would prove her guilt. This torture was not only physically agonizing but also mentally traumatizing for Lilias.
Despite the torture, Lilias maintained her innocence and refused to confess to any wrongdoing. This was seen as a sign of defiance and a confirmation of her guilt. She was then sentenced to be imprisoned in the local church for further interrogation. However, before she could be taken to the church, Lilias died in her cell, most likely due to the injuries sustained during the torture.
Her death did not mark the end of her persecution. In a final act of cruelty, Lilias’ body was buried in the mudflats of the Firth of Forth, between the high and low tide marks. This was a common practice for executed witches, as it was believed that their bodies would not be able to rise from the dead and cause harm to the living. In reality, this was a way to deny them a proper burial and a place in the afterlife.
For centuries, the story of the Witch O’ Fife remained a local legend, until her grave was rediscovered in 1852. Her burial site, known as the “Witch’s Stone”, became a place of pilgrimage for those seeking protection from witchcraft. It is said that leaving offerings at her grave would appease her spirit and prevent her from causing harm.
The story of the Witch O’ Fife is a tragic one, and it raises many questions about the treatment of women during the witch-hunting era. Lilias Adie was just one of the thousands of innocent women who were accused, tortured, and executed for crimes they did not commit. Her story is a reminder of the horrors that were inflicted upon those who were perceived to be different or had no power to defend themselves.
In recent years, there have been efforts to rehabilitate Lilias’ reputation and give her a proper burial. In 2019, a group of volunteers, known as the Lilias Adie Society, conducted a survey of her burial site and found evidence of her grave. They are now working towards erecting a memorial in her honor and raising awareness about her story.
In conclusion, the story of the Witch O’ Fife is one that is filled with tragedy, injustice, and the enduring power of myth and legend. Lilias Adie’s life and death serve as a powerful reminder of the dangers of superstition and the consequences of mass hysteria. Her story also highlights the need for us to remember and honor the victims of witch-hunting and strive towards a more just and tolerant society. The Witch O’ Fife may have been a victim of her time, but her legacy will continue to haunt us and serve as a cautionary tale against the dangers of blind belief and persecution.