Susanna Martin

1. Susanna Martin was a witch

Dmi

who dwelt in Amesbury

with brilliant eye and saucy tongue

Dmi

she worked her sorcery

and when into the judges court

Dmi Ami

the sheriffs brought her hither

the lilacs drooped as she passed by

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.