Sir Gaunie and the Witch

“Witching Creek” painted with watercolors by Sanford Ross Bender in May, 1982.

“Sir Gaunie and the Witch” (Niles No. 18) after The Marraiage of Sir Gawain” (Child No. 31) arranged, performed, and recorded by Sanford Ross Bender for vocals and guitar on July 21, 2023.

King Henry was a mighty man,

Who lived in Engeland,

No harm e’re fell on honest folk,

From out of Henry’s hand.

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Sir Gaunie was a noble knight,

Handsome for to see,

And he’s to marry with a witch,

To save King Henery.

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The witch from out the deep, green wood,

Told Henry what to say,

She told him that a woman always,

Wanted for her way.

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King Henry answered well and true.

He spake so bright, so gay

The Baron sadly hung his head.

And sadly rode away.

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Sir Gaunie was a noble knight,

And many a tear was shed,

The day he married with a witch,

And taken her to bed.

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‘Twas then she turned a princess fair,

And though they all did try,

No fairer one was ever seen,

With sight of human eye.

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Interrupted Anger

“Interrupted Anger” composed, performed, and recorded with guitar and concertina by Sanford Ross Bender on January 15, 2022
“Earth Quilt” drawn and painted with colored pencil and watercolor by Sanford Ross Bender in 1983.

Anger interrupted,

Dissolving dissonance,

Like ephemeral streams,

Quilting prairie terrain,

Meandering,

Through music,

Of my own making.

Poem written by Sanford Ross Bender on January 18, 2022