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The Widow's Promise

from Waggin’ by SaltyPaws

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about

Mick Ryan 1986

mainlynorfolk.info/cara/songs/thewidowspromise.html

lyrics

THE WIDOW'S PROMISE

High upon a lonely moor a widow lived alone
An inn she kept, and as she slept, the pillow heard her moan
"Oh many is the traveler who's spent the night with me,
There's not a man in all creation gives content to me.

Oh some can manage once or twice, and some make three or four,
It seems to me a rarity is the man who can do more.
I'll do anything to find him, in Heaven or in Hell."
And as these words were spoken then, she heard the front door bell.

(Chorus: And the wind blew cold and lonely across that widow's moor
And she never ever turned away a traveler from the door)

So boldly then the widow ran and the door she opened wide,
And as she did a tall and handsome stranger stepped inside.
She gave him bread and brandy, and when that he was fed,
He said, "Me dear, now have no fear, it's time to come to bed.

For I've heard your call way down below and I've come to see you right.
But you must come to Hell with me if I can last the night."
She said, "You randy devil, to this bargain I'll agree,
For Hell on earth, or Hell in Hell, it's all the same to me."

(Chorus: And the wind blew cold and lonely across that widow's moor
And she never ever turned away a traveler from the door)

So then they both fell into bed, and the devil was working well,
He thought before the night was through she'd be in his Hell,
But when they came to number nine the widow cried out, "More!"
And when the twelfth time came around, again she cried for more.

At twenty-five the devil felt compelled to take a rest.
The widow she said, "Come raise your head and put me to the test."
At sixty-nine the widow laughed, "Again, again!" she cried.
The devil he said, "Well I can see just how your husband died."

(Chorus: And the wind blew cold and lonely across that widow's moor
And she never ever turned away a traveler from the door)

At ninety-nine the devil he began to cry and weep
He said, "I'll give you anything if you let me go to sleep."
Before the morning light was up the devil hobbled home,
The widow, still not satisfied, once more was left alone.

There she lay and grumbled as she thought of ninety-nine.
"If only that old devil could have made it one more time!
I'll call him up again tonight and see what can be done.
With a bit more application, he could have made the ton."

But when she called to him that night, no devil did appear.
For the first time in eternity, the devil he shook with fear.
He said, "Of all the torment I've witnessed here in Hell,
I never knew what pain was 'till I rang your front door bell."

(Chorus: And the wind blew cold and lonely across that widow's moor
And she never ever turned away a traveler from the door)

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from Waggin’, released April 14, 2020

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SaltyPaws Punta Gorda, Florida

When you think of wandering minstrels, do you ever think they might live on a boat? SaltyPaws is a sailing acoustic duo, living aboard their catamaran, sailing and singing the Atlantic eastern seaboard. You'll hear guitar and 5 string banjo, spiced with harmonica and concertina. Wherever the boat is in port, you'll find Bentley and Jim joining a jam, at an open mic, or busking a street corner. ... more

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