Harvester's Sickle

By: Tourach Posted on: April 29, 2005

From the small village in Aalen Forest in which I grew up, this is a song which was used by students of herbalism for easier remembrance of the various herbs and the afflictions they cure. It is said that every affliction and cure is hidden throughout the text.

Harvester's Sickle

Lend a hand! Forest friend! Bushes brush and branches bend
Trees & twigs, Roots & sprigs, The harvester's sickle deftly picks

Bellwort flower, Smell the power, Don't give up your final hours
Kill the dove, Unwanted love, Justice dies by armored glove

Afflicted blood? Eat a lot, Ginseng roots to make it clot
Burning sun, It's no fun, Eat again no need to run

Shuffling feet, Chaotic creed, Don't be shy for stupid deeds
No big deal, Goldenseal, Stops your shaking legs to reel

Sights of hell, Time will tell, Dulls your mind and drains the well
Don't have time, Invest a dime, Get some Elm and you'll be fine

Rub your chin, Sleepy sin, Don't let any strangers in
Potato mash?! Strangling sash, Bunnies carrying Prickly Ash
Scaling heights, Tunnel frights, Open spaces give great sights
Hit yourself, Neglect your health, Eat Lobelia by yourself

Weary curse, Reimburse, You clumsily lost your *cough*-ing purse
Find the sea, Dance in glee, Kelp enough for you and me

Oily glands, Evil friends, You're so ugly none withstands
Mana leech, Pipes in reach, Valerian leaves will stop the siege

Oily skin, Don't give in, Paralysis will begin
Not just yet, Get in bed, Maybe get some Bloodroot fed
Hidden teeth, Dark mischief, Do they make your stomach heave?
Yes very, Sileris berry, Apply the juice to make you merry

Staring snake, Stay awake, Don't close your eyes too much at stake
Evil eyes, Optic lies, Bayberry Bark and vision dies

Unpleasant voice, Bardic noise, Hear or not you have the choice
Musicians bill, Hawthorn will, Make them whining brats be still

Body ache, Life's at stake, You should know which herb to take
At a loss? Irid Moss, Mana too no need to toss

Shrouded cloak, Night invoked, Normal eyes by darkness choked
Darkest hell, Quick dispel, Echinacea see them as well

Wooden stool, Maths at school, Add one and one don't be a fool
Teacher's hum, Eat Myrrh Gum, Ease your mind and give the sum

Troubled mind, Don't be blind, Leave the worldly pain behind
Take a seat, Cactus Weed, Smoke a lot and you'll be freed

Kola Nut, flower bud, Can't withstand the sickle's cut
Fall asleep, Dreaming deep, Eat a nut no need to weep

Stay awake, A lovely lake, Prickly Pear and perhaps make
A lovely dive, Stay alive, Under water you'll survive

Use dead eyes, See who dies, Skullcap Flower tells no lies
Battlefield, Need a shield, Smoke it now and make them yield

Know the lore! Sing once more! Even louder then before!
Know the lore! Sing once more! Until out students throats get sore!