Lyrics The Legend of Mother Ludlam

The Legend of Mother Ludlam
Copyright 2022, Martyn Adams, Pauline North. All Rights Reserved.

Mother Ludlam's Cave is a small cave in the sandstone cliff in Moor Park, near Farnham, Surrey. The cave has long been associated with the legend of Mother Ludlam who was, supposedly, a wise woman, or white witch, who lived there.

One story says that the Devil, in disguise, had visited Mother Ludlam and asked to borrow the cauldron (or kettle) she used for mixing her potions. Recognising the Devil from his hoof-prints in the sand, she refused, so the Devil stole it. The witch then pursued him. Making great leaps the Devil created a series of hills where he touched the ground, these becoming the sandstone hills near Churt, known as the Devil's Jumps. Finally, the Devil dropped the cauldron on the last of these hills, now known as Kettlebury Hill. Mother Ludlam recovered the cauldron and placed it in Frensham Church for safe keeping. The cauldron associated with this legend remains in the church to this day. It is made of hammered copper and measures approx. 90 cm wide and 47.5 cm deep. It was probably used in the Middle Ages for religious festivals and catering at weddings.

Intro
I am Mother Ludlam, Faerie Spirit_ of the Wey
Wise Woman to the Abbey_ and I dwell there to this day_

As a lass I seduced a handsome smith, but then in the morning mist
I fell for the man while in his arms and we sweetly, sweetly kissed
The son of Beonna o' West_ had seduced me in return
He fell for me, the love of his life, a love that’ll ever burn

We pledged our life as man and wife, between us be no other
I to the son of Beonna o' West, and he to the village’s mother
Then I gathered to me the recipe, the one for eternal life
Stirred them together by the moon’s blue light using cauldron and metal knife

Bridge

For I am Mother Ludlam, Faerie Spirit_ of the Wey
Wise Woman to the Abbey_ and I dwell there to this day_

Then once from out the morning mist, came a stranger to our door
One eye hid by a leather patch, and the other cut from war
He pled for an ancient spell_ and my kettle to make him well
But my eyes are those of faerie, and they spied his evil tell

For his feet were shod with leather-red boots, yet goat tracks on the path
I refused his dire request, not knowing the demon’s wrath
When the devil stole my cauldron, we chased it across the grounds
We hunted through the Woods of Bourne, as it fled in leaps and bounds

Bridge

For I am Mother Ludlam, Faerie Spirit_ of the Wey
Wise Woman to the Abbey_ and I dwell there to this day_

Then it turned around to face us, our fate my own worst fear
Through my husband’s breast it cast_ a demon’s poisoned spear,
As my husband, lover, faded_ he raised his hammer to Tyr
The sky opened and a blinding bolt_ struck the demon down in fire

And the demon dropped my cauldron_ just before it fled
I took my man_ in my arms_ ‘We’ll meet again,’ I said.
My soul lay bleeding on Kettlebury Hill, My fire, my heart now stone
But my cauldron rests in Frensham Church, spells dormant, unknown

Bridge
For I am Mother Ludlam, Faerie Spirit_ of the Wey
Wise Woman_ to the Abbey_ and I dwell there to this day

Outro

Now one with the son of Beonna o' West, one with the morning mist
Every morn I am again seduced_ and sweetly, sweetly kissed
For I am Mother Ludlam, Faerie Spirit_ of the Wey
Wise Woman_ to the Abbey_ and I dwell there to this day

Bridge

For I am Mother Ludlam, Faerie Spirit_ of the Wey
Wise Woman_ to the Abbey_ and I dwell there to this day
For I am Mother Ludlam, Faerie Spirit_ of the Wey
Wise Woman_ to the Abbey_ and I dwell there to this day_