Midwinter, "Sanctuary Stone" (1973)

This is the best-known song by the seventies psych-folk outfit Midwinter, which later turned into Stone Angel and continues to release music to this day.  It's a really beautiful song with great singing.  Unfortunately, when you listen to the lyrics, you realize they're a little on the half-baked side.  It's trying to mimic that traditional, Child-ballad-type feel, but, well...okay, I guess I shouldn't be too hard on them; a lot of traditional songs, if we're being honest, have pretty lame lyrics too.

In any case, I noticed that they were available nowhere on the internet, so I transcribed them.  JUST YOU WAIT: now that I'm putting them up here, soon enough they'll be available on all manner of lyrics sites, none of which will credit me.  So it goes.

A young man on a light black horse

Came riding through the wind and rain

Afraid of those who came behind

To try to take him back again

Seven times 'round put your ear to the ground

Can you hear the devil calling?

All on your own by the sanctuary stone

As the winter rain starts falling

For he had slain his own true love

The day before they were to wed

He's mounted on his big black steed

And left his lady lying dead

Seven times 'round put your ear to the ground

Can you hear the devil calling?

All on your own by the sanctuary stone

As the winter rain starts falling

He's rode all through the day and night

And rode again another day

But still they follow close behind

That never he might ride away

Seven times 'round put your ear to the ground

Can you hear the devil calling?

All on your own by the sanctuary stone

As the winter rain starts falling

At last he's reached the sanctuary stone

Time to stop and rest a while

So here's to you my young men all

You'll never take me without trial

Seven times 'round put your ear to the ground

Can you hear the devil calling?

All on your own by the sanctuary stone

As the winter rain starts falling