SOURCE: "Allison Gross" (The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, 1882-1898) by Francis James Child

DESCRIPTION: "O Allison Gross, that lives in yon tower/The ugliest witch in the north country..." ("Allison Gross" by Francis James Child)

NOTES: Allison Gross, the ugliest witch in all the North Country falls for a good-looking guy. She makes him some nice promises: the finest clothes, gold cups, etc. When he refuses she turns him into a worm (dragon). The poor guy stays that way until the good faeries, the Seelie Court, come by and change him back.

HISTORY: Francis James Child did not write this ballad, only recorded it in his book, The English and Scottish Popular Ballads. as with all ballads, these songs were sung and their stories told for centuries before they were written down. Steeleye Span recorded this song in1973. Watch it. This recording inspired Charles Vess to include his comic book version in Book of Ballads (2004)