Magpie Tree

from Songs of Love, Lust and Loss by Hornswaggle

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lyrics

One for me when I'm feeling blue.
Two for the ballad of me and you.
Three for the love of a bride in white.
Another for a child who came at night.

Five for words from a poet's tongue.
Six for riches where they belong.
Seven for the words you can never say.
Eight for health 'til your dying day.

In the magpie tree I count nine birds,
Laughing at me with cackling words.
Twenty dark eyes are looking at me,
There's someone else in the magpie tree.

Who's that sitting in the magpie tree?
Way up high and looking at me.
Nine old birds in the magpie tree.
Sitting with the devil and he's come for me.

One for sorrow, two for mirth,
Three for a wedding, four for a birth.
Five for silver, six for gold,
Seven for a secret never to be told.
Eight will bring you joy and health.
But it's nine for the devil his old self.
Take your lesson from a fool like me.
Best stay away from the magpie tree.

Down jumped the devil and away I went.
Ran all day 'til I was spent.
Take your lesson from a fool like me.
Best stay away from the magpie tree.

credits

from Songs of Love, Lust and Loss, released April 2, 2015

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about

Hornswaggle UK

Born in the dusty cellar of a ramshackle pub, to the sounds of waves crashing and the smell of real ale, Hornswaggle emerge armed with a carnival of songs to delight and astound.

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