Outside the city walls Where the darkest thickets grow Returning home from foreign lands We dreamt of our near homes When at once we heard a-hissing - was it a devil or a snake? Had we heard the sounds of laughter That dangerous women make?
Three hags our way stood staring They beckoned us their way We followed them along a hidden path Towards their dwelling place Inside a fire was burning And a table had been laid They offered us a strange brew With a devil of a taste
My friend and I we had great thirst We drank our cups bone dry But stranger yet was the drink's effect "It's witchery!" I cried Eye of newt and mandrake root The devil's foot in brine A fever-dream took hold of me Souls danced before my eyes
My treachery, my wicked lusts The many stolen wives The souls of those whom I had wronged Shared tales of my past crimes Indeed, I was not all alone To hear their strangled cries My fellow and these sisters Through this my guild surmised
And lo, I saw what must be done For the gallows called my name I'd cut its tongue under a demon sun Yea, in good health I'd remain In a flash I drew my dagger And my fellow screamed with pain Then I turned upon the sisters To them I did the same
At once the room it filled with blood And the horror of their cries This night a murder banquet A feast of ruined lives Possessed were they with fortune's gift And yet they were surprised Three sisters should have better known Than to let this devil inside