The Winter Witch

A rock song about the witch who summons the winter storms.

It's when the North wind howls,

And its shriek is eldritch,

And when the world turns white,

That it summons the witch.

She dances in the snow,

In the pale moonlight,

Her raven hair blowing,

As she challenges the night.

Chorus

She's the Winter Witch,

The bringer of the storm,

She's the world's white death,

In a pleasing form.

She whirls, she twirls,

She jumps and she twists,

Lightning streams from her hair,

Icicles form on her wrists.

The faster she dances,

The more the storm grows,

The louder she shouts,

The harder it blows.

She's the Winter Witch,

The bringer of the storm,

She's the world's white death,

In a pleasing form.

(extended guitar solo with twin interlocking leads, one screaming, the other growling, evoking the storm)

When the rivers freeze,

And the woods are still,

And the whole white world

Is bent to her will.

The witch still dances,

But her steps slow down,

The rhythm of the Earth,

Tied to the hem of her gown.

'Cause,

She's the Winter Witch,

The bringer of the storm,

She's the world's white death,

In a pleasing form.

Her breath is the cold,

That freezes your bones,

Her voice is the hammer,

That cracks the stones.

But there comes a time,

When the witch must sleep,

Then the trees wake up,

And the rivers weep.

Yeah,

She's the Winter Witch,

The bringer of the storm,

She's the world's white death,

In a pleasing form.

So the warmth returns,

And the woods grow green,

The air becomes soft,

Summer birds are soon seen.

But the witch is just dreaming,

The witch will be back,

The frost giants are coming,

The skies will turn black.

'Cause,

She's the Winter Witch,

The bringer of the storm,

She's the world's white death,

In a pleasing form.

Oh yeah. she's the Winter Witch,

The summoner of the storm,

She's brings the world's white death,

With her pleasing form.

(Guitar outro)

© 2018 The Iron Horseman

Author's Note

When you live in the Great North Woods you tend to spend too much time thinking about winter. This year the first snow came in mid-October and we have had a white world since then; it probably won't thaw until mid-April. Sometimes it lasts until early May.

This song is another one that came to me in the middle of the night. It was snowing heavily when I went to sleep, and I was awakened at three in the morning by the Winter Witch demanding to have her song written!

This is a mid-paced rocker that tramps. It has a fat, heavy bass line, the drums are up front in the mix and there is a chopping rhythm guitar that alternates as the twin lead. It is intended to sound eerie, with the guitars skirling and swirling as the storm builds.

Enjoy!

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

This is such an amazing song filled with wild, fierce, passionate imagery. Great verses, rhythm and rhyme. I can hear the bass line like the monster storm building and the dueling guitars like howling wolves and wind. You draw the witch as the primal winter force of nature- the Storm Queen, the Summoner. Your brushstrokes of beautiful wintry metaphors are chilling. “She brings the world’s white death”- and kills it softly with your song Iron Horseman. Great writing. Happy Holidays to you!

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you, Annette. I'm so pleased you liked it, and I love the fact that you can hear the music! That is so hard to impart without the soundtrack.
Merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year to you and yours.

[barleygirl]

Reading your authors notes, I guess I better not whine about how cold it was here on the California coast with a light dusting of snow on the high ridges! When I'm shivering for 2 months, that's a brutal winter here! *wink! wink!* I love the way your story starts out as if your witch is a whirling dervish . . . almost crazymaking, the way you portray her at first. This is true to the way we are so excited to greet a new season. But then we grow weary of winter & your poem shows us the whirling dervish settle down. All in all, this is a great storytelling poem or song with strong rhyme & rhythm. The only thing I don't like is the phrase "in a pleasing form" -- this feels too vague & trite, compared to the rest of your powerful lines (((HUGS))) fondly, margie

[The Iron Horseman]

Thanks for your lovely review, Margie. I believe that with your vivid imagination you could probably see this picture exactly the way I tried to paint it!
As for the 'In a pleasing form,' I accept your critique, but it was the best I could come up with. I needed to convey in a single line in the chorus that, despite the cruel nature of Winter, she is also beautiful. I'm sorry it did not work for you; I will give it more thought.
Big hug.

[barleygirl]

No worries! I never say my criticisms with the idea that a person would change their words. It's just background ideas for continuing on . . .

[The Iron Horseman]

I know, but I always enjoy your input and it does make me think! :)

[Cherrie]

I love the North Woods but never been up there for a Winter. I love this, excelled cadence and lyrics

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you, Cherrie. If you come up here for a winter visit, make sure you are dressed for it! Temperatures around -40C are not uncommon in January and February. Insulated boots and a down-filled parka are good ideas!

[Cherrie]

Oh my I'll see you folks in May

[The Iron Horseman]

That's black fly season! Make it June. :D

[Cherrie]

Well then June it is

[The Iron Horseman]

Lol! :D

[Avelina Devi]

This reminds me of the songs from Dark Sarah, its something I think she would sing.
I loved the way this flowed together and the images it projected.
You captured this beautifully.

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you, Xiamara. I don't know Dark Sarah, I will have to check her out.

[Onlyme]

I could just imagine this poem being sung to me and the haunting music playing in time to his rhymical beats and sights and sounds. And visions that come flashing inside my mind's eye. Make me go wow... Better than any action pack movie I can tell you. Great stuff Iron Horseman. Could you imagine entering at the end? On a horse all cover in armour head to toe. Both you and the horse. Epic.

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you for your kind words, Dawn. I think wearing iron plate armor at 40 below might be a recipe for turning into a popsicle, though! Lol!
Have a wonderful Christmas, dear lady.

[Einstein Noodle]

i can hear the screamin' guitars sir! ;) i use to live in the North Country and she is a b.... i mean witch for sure ... scared me south till death do me part :) i really appreciate how you hear and describe the music ...and thank you for my word of the day ...eldritch ... fantastic!!
E.

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you, Egg Noodle. So, you have lived in the Great White North, eh? Good on you, my friend. You know what they say - we only have two seasons here - winter and July! :D
Glad you could hear the screaming guitars - it's the only way to go!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and all your family, good buddy.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes!! and just two days of sunshine and only one of those with winds under 15 mph. ;{ Merry Christmas to you too my friend ... don't ya just love the Cafe' ? :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Very nice use of words and thoughts. You made me believe every words. I liked the drive and the movement of words. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you, my friend, for reading it and enjoying it.
Have a great Christmas and New Year holidays.