A traditional English folk song. A smith attempts to court a lady who repeatedly turns him away. She evades his advances by shapechanging and he shapechanges himself to continue the pursuit. In most versions the lady escapes but a few have the smith successful.

This is an ancient motif and one found in ancient mythology – for example teh shapechanging battle between Loki and Heimdall in Norse mythology.

Sung by me.

The artwork is from the Dover publication ‘Walter Crane Illustrations and Ornamentation from the Faerie Queene’ which has permission for reuse of the artwork.

Source