“The Laily Worm and the Machrel of the Sea”

Description

The singer's mother died when he was seven, and his stepmother enchanted him into a "laily worm" and his sister into a "machrel." When their father learns the truth, he forces her to restore the children, then burns her

Notes

Child's text is badly and multiply defective, but the lack of materials makes restoration well-nigh impossible. Child's conjectures as to what is missing seem apt. - RBW

Cross references

• cf. "Allison Gross" [Child 35] (theme)

References

1. Child 36, "The Laily Worm and the Machrel of the Sea" (1 text)
2. OBB 14, "The Laily Worm and the Machrel of the Sea" (1 text)
3. PBB 20, "The Laily Worm and the Machrel of the Sea" (1 text)
4. DT 36, LAIDLEYW
5. Roud #3968
6. BI, C036