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[Verse]
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Marianna o' the Howe was a young lassie wi' gowden hair
                                                            Dm
Sweet and honest, true and bonnie, and lover of one John Sinclair
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Marianna met the Factor at the dawning, at the fold
                                                                   Dm
And he said, "Lie with me now, Marianna, and you will not want for gold"

[Verse]
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"Well, I thank you for your offer, but I fear it canna be
                                                         Dm
I maun lie with John Sinclair, for he's the only one for me"
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So the Factor, sore affronted, whispered evil of her name
                                                  Dm
Every sorrow and misfortune 'twas Marianna was to blame

[Verse]
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Soon there came a deputation, Marianna for to see
                                                               Dm
For to slight her reputation, "The De'il has laid his hands on ye
      Am
Ye've soured the cream and blighted the corn and danced wi' fairies on the hill
                                                    Dm
Ye who are of devil born and ye who bow to no man's will"

[Verse]
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Seven evenings, seven mornings they spoke of Marianna ill
                                                                   Dm
There they shamed her, stripped her and maimed her, but they never tamed her will
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"Let her sweetness not deceive you, evil hides itself right well
                                                       Dm
Once within, it will never leave you, Marianna, you'll burn in hell"

[Verse]
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"Who are these who stand against me? Who are these who slight my name?
                                                                     Dm
Let them tell their lies before god and let them hang their heads in shame"
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Then she saw a sight that grieved her, all the hope inside her died
                                                          Dm
John Sinclair all clad in satin, standing at the Factor's side

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"I was child and now a woman, but I shall be no man's wife
                                                        Dm
For my love has me forsaken, and I want no more of this life"
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They've shorn the hair from Marianna, the witch's snare o' gowden thread
                                                              Dm
Marched her tae the Gallows ha' and whipped her sair until she bled

[Verse]
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In the crowd she spied her lover, and he had his new coat on
                                                                     Dm
Soon the flames danced all above her, and the people danced 'til the dawn
Am
Marianna o' the Howe was a young lassie wi' gowden hair
                                                                      Dm
Sweet and honest, true and bonnie, betrayed by the Factor and John Sinclair