(traditional)

Alison Gross that lives in yon tower

The ugliest witch in the North Country

Has trysted me one day up to her bower

And many a fair speech she made to me

She stroked my head and she combed my hair

She set me down softly on her knee

Saying if you will be my lover so true

So many good things I would give to you

Away, away, you ugly witch

Go far away and let me be

I never will be your lover so true

And wish I were out of your communy

Chorus:

Alison Gross she must be

The ugliest witch in the North Country

Alison Gross she must be

The ugliest witch in the North Country

She showed me a mantle of red scarlet

With golden flowers and fringes fine

Saying if you will be my lover so true

This goodly gift it shall be thine

She showed me a shirt of the softest silk

Well wrought with pearls abound the band

Saying if you will be my lover so true

This goodly gift you shall command

Chorus

She showed me a cup of the good red gold

Well set with jewels so fair to see

Saying if you will be my lover so true

This goodly gift I will give to thee

Away, away, you ugly witch

Go far away and let me be

I never would kiss your ugly mouth

For all of the gifts that you could give

Chorus

She turned her right and round about

And thrice she blew on a grass-green horn

She swore by the moon and the stars of above

That she'd make me rue the day I was born

The out she has taken a silver wand

She's turned her three times round and round

She muttered such words till my strength it did fail

And she's turned me into an ugly worm

Chorus