"What's wrong with you my dearest wife?
Why you look like you've had a fright"
"Oh John," the woman cried aloud
"Why I've seen an awful sight"

"As I walked the lane passed Millers farm
There was a demon in the field
Its eyes they blazed a fiery red
And it ordered me to yield"

"But I ran for home most hastily
Though I fear it followed close behind
Oh John what are we going to do?
We must hide from this creature and its kind"

"Why nonsense dear," the farmer said
"Tis just a barn owl you have seen
Cause' in the dark the mind plays tricks
That's simply what its been"

So he lifted up his trusty cane
And he bade his wife to stay
"I'll flay this bird with my thorny stick
And I'll soon chase him away"

So he left the house in the bright moonlight
As alone his wife shook with fear
Then she heard heavy whispers at her own back door
It was the demon, and it was here

She clutched her weak and fragile heart
As she heard her husband scream
Cause' this was not a barn owl outside
And this was not a dream

Then the front door it sprung open
And the hideous creature came inside
But he removed his mask and laughed aloud
Cause' it was clear that she had already died

The plan had worked, she'd took the bait
She had died and was no more
But he stood erect with sweating brow
Heard the whisper's at his own back door

                          G J Tate