On the Road with Silver John: "The Spring"

(For previous ballads about the balladeer, click the "On the Road with Silver John" label under Features in the right sidebar.)


"The Spring"

A miraculous mountain spring heals the ills
Of all those who from its waters take draft.
Now a fetching witch seeks to seize control of it
By drawing on the dark powers of her craft.

Yet Zeb's loathe to sell his land, and like John,
Wants nothing to do with the wanton Craye.
Finally tiring of the girl's dirty dealing,
John moves to wash her clean away.



Manly Wade Wellman's short story "The Spring" can be found in Owls Hoot in the Daytime & Other Omens.