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Wesley Fair

from Storyteller by Musical Juice

/

about

Jack Wright was hung for murder in a public execution at Durham Prison on 7th October, 1795. He was 19 years old. His accuser was Amanda Brindle, a beautiful gypsy woman who preyed on gullible young men like Jack and used them for her own means. Jack's real crime was falling in love. He was bewitched by Amanda after seeing her dance at a local fair. So much so that he left his farm labouring job to travel with her.

Amanda convinced Jack that a deranged ex-lover was pursuing her and was intent on harming her. In fact, this man was one of her many husbands who she had robbed before running off to reunite with her fairground family. Bigamy and robbery were Amanda's modus operandi and she would often temporarily take strong, young lovers for protection from pursuing husbands. So it was with Jack. When Amanda's husband caught up with them, there was a fight and the husband was killed. Amanda accused Jack of murder and he was duly arrested, tried and convicted. She was never charged with any crime. On the day of the hanging, she stood in the crowd and smiled as the execution bell rang and Jack was led from his cell to the gallows.

lyrics

I recall as a free, young man I would visit Wesley Fair
And once on a bright, summer night I saw her dancing there
I was only a poor man's son and she was a Gypsy Queen
And far the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen

Peope came from miles around and paid just to watch her dance
I was only a face in the crowd but I somehow caught her glance
Hypnotised by her deep, blue eyes and her long, black, raven hair
Oh, I fell in love that night with the girl at Wesley Fair

Run while you can, boy, run
She wasn't meant for a poor man's son
Run while you can, boy, run
Listen to your heart and be gone

I had never been alive before till the joy that I knew that night
We made love in her caravan by in the flicker of the campfire light
Then she lay like a child in my arms and somehow turned so pale
And as I brushed a tear from her eye she told me her woeful tale

She was running from an evil man who filled her heart with fear
He would surely put an end to her life if he came and he found her here
So bewitched and in love was I that I promised her then and there
That I'd fight the Devil that night if he came to Wesley Fair

Run while you can, boy, run
She wasn't meant for a poor man's son
Run while you can, boy, run
Listen to your heart and be gone

Now you find me in a prison cell, sentenced to lose my life
For the murder of an honest man who came to reclaim his wife
There's a lesson to be learned, my friend, better tread this way with care
And don't make the same mistake with the girl at Wesley Fair

credits

from Storyteller, released September 4, 2018

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all rights reserved

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Musical Juice England, UK

We are an indie rock band who compose original songs that have a story to tell. Our music is heavy with strong melody lines and close vocal harmonies. Stories of circumstances and events that may have also touched your life and we hope will have a special meaning for you. ... more

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