Pennsylvania born Michael Hurley migrated to the Greenwich Village folk scene of the 60s where he found himself writing songs for, performing with, but never becoming an official member of the Holy Modal Rounders. Hurley has preferred his solo career over the years. He sings, plays guitar, paints his album covers, and remains comfortable beyond the fringe of popular music. From 1971’s “Armchair Boogie,” here’s Michael Hurley with “The Werewolf.”
Oh the Werewolf, Oh the werewolfComes a-stepping alongHe don't even break the branchesWhere he's been goneYou can hear his long hollerFrom way across the moorThat's the holler of a werewolfWhen he's feeling poorHe goes out in the evening whenThe bats are on the wingAnd he's killed some young maiden before the birds singFor the werewolf, For the werewolfHave sympathy cause the werewolfHe's somebody like you or meOnce I saw him in the moonlightWhen the bats were flyingAll alone I saw the werewolfAnd the werewolf was cryingCrying "Nobody, nobodyNobody knowsHow much I love the maiden as I tear off her clothesCrying nobody, nobodyKnows my painWhen I see that it's risen, that full moon again"
When I see that moon movingThrough the clouds in the skyI get a crazy feeling and I wonder whyOh the werewolf, oh the werewolfComes traveling alongHe don't even break the branchesWhere he's been goneFor the werewolf have pity, not fear, and not hateBecause the werewolf might be someoneThat you've known of lateOh the werewolf, oh the werewolfComes traveling alongHe don't even crush the leavesWhere he's been gone
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