1. One murky night , as I was walking, down by the banks of the raging stream
I came upon the fairest lady, approaching softly in a dream
She kissed my lips with sweet affection, as close together there we lay
Until the sun rose o’er the hillside at the dawning of the day
2. Come, take my hand, and I will lead you
Come, take my hand, and follow me
And I will love you in the morning
And until eternity
3. When I awoke from my sweet lumber, and felt the earth whereon she lay
The earth was cold beneath my fingers, and my nails clawed at the clay
I cried aloud in lamentation, all creatures of the forest heard
Asking where my love had gone so swiftly, answer came there not a word
4. I swam across the chilly waters, and raced through forests dark and green
Where spirits huddled in the treetops, often heard but never seen
I ran till I could run no longer, but not a sign of my love saw
Until, at last, beyond the woodland, came the cliff-top and the shore
5. I cast my eyes upon the ocean, but not a single sail did see
So, I turned again into the forest, searching each and every tree
At length I came into a clearing, where stood a gnarled and aged oak
And at its foot the strangest old man, who stared long before he spoke
6. I am the keeper of the forest, and the knower of all things
I speak the tongue of those that run, or jump or swim or fly on wings
I am appointed to give answers to each and every honest man
So, if your quest has noble purpose, I will help you all I can
7. Yon is the Lady of the Water, who lures young men with sweetest charms
And then she drowns them in the river, as she rolls them in her arms
No man alive has been her lover, but many victims she has slain
And you will surely go to join them, if you should lie with her again
8. But late that night, as I was walking, down by the banks of the raging stream
I came again upon that lady, approaching softly in a dream
I kissed her lips with sweet affection, as close together there we lay
And fishes fed upon my carcass, at the dawning of the day
9. Come, take my hand, and I will lead you
Come, take my hand, and follow me
And I will love you in the morning
And until eternity
And until eternity
And until eternity
© Dave Pierce, 1976 and 2020.