Kresen Kernow’s School Concert

Image – Kresen Kernow Archive Centre

Today Cassandra and I were invited by Alice Howard to attend a concert performed by children from four primary schools in Redruth.

Attending school concerts was once a regular occurrence for me when my children were of school age. I attended ALL their school concerts and performances as I was extremely proud of their talents.

The children of Pennoweth Primary School had visited the Kresen Kernow Women and Health Exhibition. Inspired by our Wisewomen display, they composed a song entitled We Are The Witches.

There were other songs composed by three other schools about District Nurses, a woman who walked from Cornwall to London to complain about her husband’s pension and another woman who arrived in Cornwall as a Jewish evacuee and separated from her family. All of the songs were deep and meaningful, giving the young children insight into the historical accounts of courageous women. 

My recording of the song we were invited to hear is at the following link:

We are the Witches

Here are the lyrics:

We Are The Witches – Pennoweth School

Chorus –

We are the witches, we can cure,

Our potions make your heart feel pure

We are the witches, we’re the best

The spirits are our welcome guests

Verse 1

Two wisewomen in black cloaks, why do they look so serious

Cursing folk who tell bad jokes, joyful but mysterious

Peller, pellar, fortune teller, pellar, pellar, fortune teller.

Repeat Chorus

Verse 2:

Herbs and jasmine, plants and trees, a muslin bag of violet,

Incense, oils, things from the seas, catch my broomstick I’m the pilot,

Pellar, Pellar, Fortune Teller, Pellar, Pellar, Fortune Teller.

Repeat Chorus

Verse 3 (rap):

Jupiter, Earth, Venus, Mars, Pisces, Saggitarius,

Bitter herbs in crystal jars, witches always curious.

Pellar, Pellar, Fortune Teller, Pellar, Pellar, Fortune Teller.

Last Chorus:

We are the witches, joyful but mysterious,

Purses, curses.

(sing chorus to the end). 

The way the song was performed showed that the children had connected with the subject on a deeper level, as the rapping was reminiscent of chanting and incantation. As the children were leaving, I was suddenly surrounded by a group of them (while Cassandra was visiting the bathroom), asking the usual questions like: Can you turn me into a frog? Do you have a black cat? Do you curse people? Etc. One little girl asked me what my favourite potion is that I enjoy making. Its got to be the honeymoon drink that we prepare for couples at their Handfastings, because there is always surplus liquid and it is delicious! 

It was a pleasure to attend this concert and it is also part of our community work.

Thank you Kresen Kernow and the local schools for a delightfully entertaining afternoon.