Sometimes the song tells another story than the one on the page. This one is for the shapeshifters. Inspired by the medieval Spanish story, The Serpent Woman, from Jane Yolen's edited collection, Favorite Folktales from Around the World. This song first appeared on The Wanderlings Volume One (2015).

Lyrics

Nine hundred years ago living in Spain
I married a man for his wealth and his name
I worried his relatives, frightened his friends
I angered his servants and made no amends

I gossiped with neighbours, delighting in spite
And never let on what I did every night
They thought me a witch or a wandering waif
But I kept my secret unbidden and safe

I am ageless
By the power of my skin
I am seduction
I can draw a lover in
I am beauty
So look deep into my eyes
I’m your destruction
But I will keep you tantalized

My fury was potent and flattened my head
My eyes they grew narrow and terror was spread
Condemned if you crossed me, much worse than my bite
Embrace me, my love, and I’ll wrap you up tight

I am ageless
By the power of my skin
I am seduction
I can draw a lover in
I am beauty
So look deep into my eyes
I’m your destruction
But I will keep you tantalized

Don’t you want to play?
Side to side I’ll sway
I will haunt you night and day
There is nothing you can do or say
I am here to stay

A woman by daylight, a snake in the dark
As long as my skin doesn’t meet with a spark
For all you would need to break free from my spell
Is fire: a secret I never will tell

I am ageless
By the power of my skin
I am seduction
I can draw a lover in
I am beauty
So look deep into my eyes
I’m your destruction
But I will keep you tantalized

I am ageless
I am beauty
I am seduction
And I’m your destruction
Look in my eyes
I will keep you tantalized