Take care what you fish for - a song arising from the July workshop - by Ann Reader

The light dances on the clear water 

But hidden depths often deceive 

The fishing fly that might have caught her

Is tangled up fast in the reeds

The fisherman holding on tight to his line

Bemoans the loss of his trout

Shimmering scales transformation sublime 

A beautiful maiden climbs out.

Take care what you fish for Take care what you fish for

I guard every river and stream

If you upset me you’ll wish you’d not met me. 

Was it her voice or a dream?

He tries but he can not forget her

Daily he’s back at that place

Gazing steadfast at the water

Hoping to see her fair face

So many visits but still there’s no sign

He doubts the truth of his eyes 

So he returns with his rod and his line

And casts with the best of his flies 

Take care what you fish for Take care what you fish for

I guard every river and stream

If you upset me you’ll wish you’d not met me. 

Was it her voice or a dream?

The beautiful trout leaps up high 

Her ripples and rings spreading wide

Once more he loses his fly

But the maiden is there at his side

You dream of me like I’m a lover to you 

Oh yes that is true he replied 

Yet you would kill me, my family too

And yet give no care how we died

Take care what you fish for Take care what you fish for

I guard every river and stream

If you upset me you’ll wish you’d not met me. 

Was it her voice or a dream?

If you want me then you must come with me 

To visit the world where I dwell 

Besotted he begs her “forgive me”

He’ll go he is under her spell

He takes her hand with no thought or care

And follows her into the brook 

Trapped in the reeds he cannot breathe there 

He’s caught like a fish on a hook

Take care what you fish for Take care what you fish for

I guard every river and stream

If you upset me, you’ll wish you’d not met me. 

Was it her voice or a dream?

If you upset me, you’ll wish you’d not met me

Her haunting voice was not a dream