Susanna Martin

            Dmi          C 
1. Susanna Martin was a witch 
                Dmi 
   who dwelt in Amesbury 
                  F              C 
   with brilliant eye and saucy tongue 
                   Dmi 
   she worked her sorcery 
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   and when into the judges court 
         Dmi                 Ami 
   the sheriffs brought her hither 
        Bb                 Ami 
   the lilacs drooped as she passed by 
         Bb       C       Dmi 
   and then were seen to wither. 
2. A witch she was, though trim and neat 
   with comely head held high 
   it did not seem that one as she 
   with Satan so would vie 
   and when in court when the afflicted ones 
   proclaimed her evil ways 
   she laughed aloud and boldly then 
   met Cotton Mathers gaze. 
3. "Who hath bewitched these maids" he asked 
   and strong was her reply 
   "If they be dealing in black arts 
   ye know as well as I" 
   and then the stricken ones made moan 
   as she approached near 
   they saw her shaped upon the beam 
   so none could doubt 'twas there. 
4. The neighbors 'round swore to the truth 
   of her Satanic powers 
   that she could fly o'er land and stream and come 
   dry shod through showers 
   at night 'twas said she had appeared 
   a cat of fearsome mien 
   "avoid she-devil" they had cried 
   to keep their spirits clean. 
5. The spectral evidence was weighed 
   then stern the parson spoke 
   "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live 
   'tis written in the Book" 
   Susanna Martin so accused 
   spoke with flaming eyes 
   "I scorn these things for they are naught 
   but filthy gossips lies." 
6. Now those bewitched they cried her out 
   and loud their voice did ring 
   they saw a bird above her head 
   an evil yellow thing 
   and so beneath a summer sky 
   Susanna Martin died 
   and still in scorn she faced the rope 
   her comely head held high.