As I was walking homeward in the early morning light Leaving far behind the prison where I’d spent the night With no idea of what I’d done or why they’d punished me But feeling nonetheless relieved and grateful to be free My path led to a woodland far behind a rusted gate I knew it was a short cut if I kept my walking straight But then like out of nowhere this old wizened man appeared Holding high his one hand while the other stroked his beard Beware the cursed Anna’s stare, this warning did he bring For no-one makes it through this wood, coming out as they went in But a change is what I'm looking for I told the sad old man And bidding him a last farewell into the wood I ran Soon I came to a river where I stopped to bathe my feet And that was when I smelt her perfume delicate and sweet I stood up and turned around, and there in front of me Stood a beautiful woman who simply stared at me And then I knew it was all true what the old man had advised “You must be Anna” I said, and I looked into her eyes Beware the cursed Anna’s stare, this warning did he bring For no-one makes it through this wood, coming out as they went in Then we came together in a passionate embrace I felt my body weaken and my heart begin to race And when at last the kissing stopped I saw to my alarm This woman now had changed into a young girl in my arms I heard her childish laughter saw her vanish through the trees I turned back to the river my reflection for to see And there inside the water I saw exactly as I’d feared To my horror I’d turned into an old man with a beard Beware the cursed Anna’s stare, this warning did he bring For no-one makes it through this wood, coming out as they went in For seven long years I’ve waited by this gate wishing I could die But that can only happen if some other young man comes by First I know I must warn him to go some other way But hope that like most men of that age he won’t believe what old men say To beware the cursed Anna’s stare, this warning do I bring For no-one makes it through this wood, coming out as they went in