The Devil In York

Lyrics

1
The North Wind blew across Wheeldale Moor, All on a winter’s day,
And He met with the Devil who was there before, So the folks all say.

2
There they met and there they talked, All on a winter’s day.
Said the Devil, ‘Let’s away to the city of York,’ So the folks all say.

3
‘We’ll travel the streets and houses through,’ All on a winter’s day,
’To frighten the people and clergymen too,’ So the folks all say.

4
So the Wind and the Devil they set off at speed, All on a winter’s day,
Never thought to the outcome of their wicked deed, So the folks all say.

5
Over forest and field they travelled so far, All on a winter’s day,
Till they blew through the gates of Micklegate Bar, So the folks all say.

6
Then all of a sudden the Devil stopped short, All on a winter’s day,
And he cried, ‘What’s this that the people have wrought,’ So the folks all say.

7
‘It’s a church,’ said the Wind, ‘With a great West Door,’ All on a winter’s day,
'And it’s called York Minster, of that I’m sure,’ So the folks all say.

8
‘A curse on their churches,’ the Devil he cried, All on a winter’s day,
’Are you coming with me for I’m going inside,’ So the folks all say.

9
‘Not I,’ said the Wind, ‘for I carry no doubt,’ All on a winter’s day,
’That if I went in there I could never get out,’ So the folks all say.

10
Well the Devil he laughed, the Devil he scorned, All on a winter’s day,
Saying, “You wait here – I’ll be back before dawn” So the folks all say.

11
So the wind he stayed, round that door blew about, All on a winter’s day,
For day after day the Devil never came out, So the folks all say.

12
Now if you stand by that great West Door, All on a winter’s day,
You’ll not tarry long, of that I’m sure. So the folks all say.

13
For all around that door a great wind blows about, All on a winter’s day,
As he waited for the Devil, who never came out. So the folks all say.

This is a contemporary song about Yorkshire.

Provenance

This is a song by Tim Brooks, collected by Mark Ellison and Ray Black.

My mother had a job in the bookshop of York Minster, and while working there she was told this story by a nun. Where the nun heard it I don't know, but I assume that it is quite an old traditional story, although I haven't found any reference to the story in print.
Johnny Collins has been singing it for some years. (Tim Brooks)

The song is sung here by Joe Nicholson of Harrogate, and I have also heard it sung by Geoff Wright of Ripon.