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Kelpie Lyrics
There was a warm wind with the high tide
on the south side of the hill,
when a young girl went a-walking
and I followed with a will.
"Good day to you, my fine young lady,
with your lips so sweetly full.
May I help you comb your long hair ---
sweep it from that brow so cool?''
Up! Ride with the kelpie!
I'll steal your soul to the deep.
If you don't ride with me while the devil's free,
I'll ride with somebody else...
Well I'm a man when I'm feeling
the urge to step ashore.
So I may charm you, not alarm you,
Tell you all fine things, and more.
Up! Ride with the kelpie!
I'll steal your soul to the deep.
If you don't ride with me while the devil's free,
I'll ride with somebody else...
Say goodbye to all your dear kin,
for they hate to see you go
in your young prime, to this place of mine
in the still loch far below.
Up! Ride with the kelpie!
I'll steal your soul to the deep.
If you don't ride with me while the devil's free,
I'll ride with somebody else...
on the south side of the hill,
when a young girl went a-walking
and I followed with a will.
"Good day to you, my fine young lady,
with your lips so sweetly full.
May I help you comb your long hair ---
sweep it from that brow so cool?''
I'll steal your soul to the deep.
If you don't ride with me while the devil's free,
I'll ride with somebody else...
the urge to step ashore.
So I may charm you, not alarm you,
Tell you all fine things, and more.
I'll steal your soul to the deep.
If you don't ride with me while the devil's free,
I'll ride with somebody else...
for they hate to see you go
in your young prime, to this place of mine
in the still loch far below.
Up! Ride with the kelpie!
I'll steal your soul to the deep.
If you don't ride with me while the devil's free,
I'll ride with somebody else...
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A kelpie or 'river horse' in Scottish folklore is a magical creature or monster that can change shape. It may appear as a handsome horse with a costly saddle and harness, found grazing unattended by the side of a river or loch. When someone is unwise enough to mount the horse, it plunges into the water, first drowning and then eating the unlucky rider.
In some accounts, kelpies may also transform themselves into beautiful women in order to lure unwary men to their doom.
The only problem is that the kelpie in the song is male and seducing away young women. The actual lyrics to the song make that very clear. ;)
The only problem is that the kelpie in the song is male and seducing away young women. The actual lyrics to the song make that very clear. ;)
These lyrics are incorrect, especially the chorus and the last line. I suspect the person transcribing them didn't know much about the kelpie legends. I've tried to correct them before, but apparently it didn't take. Here's the correct version:
"There was a warm wind with the high tide on the south side of the hill, when a young girl went a-walking and I followed with a will.
"'Good day to you, my fine young lady, with your lips so sweetly full. May I help you comb your long hair, sweep it from that brow so cool?'
CHORUS: "Up! Ride with the kelpie! I'll steal your soul to the deep. If you don't ride with me while the devil's free, I'll ride with somebody else!
"Well, I'm a man when I'm feeling the urge to step ashore, so I may charm you - not alarm you - tell you all fine things, and more.
CHORUS
Say goodbye to all your dear kin for they hate to see you go in your young prime, to this place of mine in the still loch far below...
CHORUS x 2