The Water Deep (Part 1) Lyrics — Ballad Lines

[ANCESTORS]
Down at the water's edge
That's where the future lies
Down where the old world ends
That's where the sun will rise
Down in the water deep
That's where the river finds its' home

There in the?open?box
That's?where the questions?call
There on the?weathered page
That's where the answers fall
Down in the water deep
That's where the river finds its' home

[BETTY, spoken]
In Scotland, with that baby growin' steady inside her, Cait kept lettin' on like she was poorly, shyin' away from the outside world and Jamie's touch at all costs

[JAMIE, spoken]
They're aw askin eftir ye Cait. It wis a guid service, though we had some ugsome business to attend. It's near lik somethin oot o yin o yer ballads. A local wumman. Murderin bairns, in their mither's wombs

[CAIT, spoken]
A local wumman?

[JAMIE, spoken]
The devil's work
[CAIT, spoken]
Who?

[SHADOWS]
Down at the devil's door

That's where the fires burn
Down at the witch's house
That's where the tide will turn
Down in the water deep
That's where the river finds its' home

[MORNA]
Come, all ye fair and tender girls
That flourish in your prime
Beware, beware, keep your garden fair
Let no man steal your thyme

[MORNA, CAIT]
Let no man steal your thyme

[CAIT, spoken]
Someone else who likes the ballads. You must be Morna

[MORNA, spoken]
You're the minister's wife
[CAIT, spoken]
I'm no here on God's business. I need yer help. Av nowhere else to go. Please

[BETTY, spoken]
Morna Stevenson lived in a humble cottage down a skinny lane, just off the high street. Her wisdom and talents made her a target, with church folks keepin' a close eye, waitin' for a reason to have her hauled up and hanged for witchcraft

[THOMAS]
Wheat, spice and wine, drink twice a day
To give ye strength, keep ills at bay
Come all ye tender lassies
That flourish in your prime

[MORNA]
Blue berry of the savin tree
Its poison saves and sets ye free
Come keep your garden fair
And let no man steal your thyme

[BETTY, spoken]
The berries of the savin juniper tree contain chemicals known to induce miscarriage. So for women carryin' babies they never asked for, that tree came to be known as the saving tree

[MORNA, spoken]
Yer secret is safe with me. Though it'll cost ye twenty shillin

[CAIT, spoken]
I'll be back within the week
[ANCESTORS]
Down at the witch's house
That's where the poison grows
That's where the flowers bloom
Cherry, juniper and rose
Down in the water deep
That's where the river finds its' home

[BETTY, spoken]
By day, Thomas taught Jean how to be a fine medical assistant, givin' her the best care a pregnant woman could hope for back then. By night, she'd sing him a Scots ballad or two, and he'd answer with his favourite Irish songs. That lucky baby spent those weeks in the womb listenin' to the sweetest music there ever was. But time started closin' in as it always does, and Jean set her mind on the treacherous journey ahead

[ANCESTORS]
Wake to the shriek of day
Run to the fairy thorn
Heart in a tightenin fist
Head like a thunder storm
Down in the water deep
That's where the river finds its' home
Where do the voices lead?
Where do the fault lines lie?
Where do the answers hide?
Where does the raven fly?
When will the water deep
Welcome the running river home?
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Last Update: March, 04th 2026