Fly through the snow Matilda my Queen
in your cloak of white so new and clean
fly to Wallingford and Brien Fitzcount
race to him on your fine-bred mount.......

Nest met her as a maiden fair
sent to brush and braid her hair
they came to speak of her young life
So learning Nest was a young wife
Her husband taken ransomed high
noone yet his life to buy
So nest an offer makes the Queen
Her safety then she has forseen

"Henry's son and heir you be
promise now your word to me
my ancient spells will blind men's eyes
my mother taught me well and wise
Wear this magic woollen cloak
over which great Olwen spoke
no man will see you in the snow
ride free to Wallingford now Go!
But see you pay the price of mine
gold for my husband's freedom fine
If you fail me mark it well
you won't escape from my mother's spell

So Matilda fled and made her move
and Nest's fine gold she did approve
but time was run and so too late
The poor young knight had met his fate
The bargain that they had was done
yet though a high and lofty one
she sent a note back with the cloak
in it wishes gently wrote
"For the loss of your man
no gold will pay
so empty words
I will not say
But whatever you ask for
I will give
except to make
the dead man live"

"Send me two oxen
Welsh and stong
dark and quiet
each six feet long
a yolk of yew
a chain of steel
and what I do
I shall reveal"

the debt was paid
the oxen came
from Ruthin
perfect each the same
then off she went
alone and strong
a journey dark
a journey long

Nest came to lofty Norman towers
strong walls fine ladies in their bowers
threw a mist against the stones
here to find her lover's bones
Beast's chained to the Castle wall
hauled straight down they crash and fall
then stealing through the rush and mist
Olwen's cloak does she even exist
noone sees her at the grave
her oxen draw forth this poor Welsh knave
then mourning her loss they steal away
none go near she'll curse they say
Her keening song of tragedies
make even stone hearts feel unease
will her vengeance come down hard
will they fall by magic marred
the people quiver in the rain
feeling now her anguished pain
But fear not this girl of ancient sight
she is not here to hurt or fight
just here to find her lover's bones
and sing to them as she carries him home