Laila Liqourish

 

Well, the black robed friars grew the sweet root

At St Richards and St Johns in Pontefract

And the local folk called the black gold Spanish

After travelling monks who brought it back

It was used as a medicine to cure a wide range

Of ailments of the gut and of the lungs

And the only side effect of treating the diseased

Was the colour of their lips and the colour of  their tongues

 

Welcome the kiss of Laila Liqourish

Smooth as fine silk and dark as pitch

The ruby red swish of her cherry whip

The kiss of night from the Pontefract witch
We Love You – Lady Liqourish

 

Soon the roots spread from the cloisters to the fields

Available to all who could cultivate

From The Bluebell Steps to The Buttercross

The shrub lined Southgate and Micklegate

Planted in the keep of Pontefract castle

sugar added - sold in black lozenge form

Stamped with an image of the fortress where it’s stored

The mighty Pontefract Cake was born

 

Welcome the kiss of Laila Liqourish

Smooth as fine silk and dark as pitch

The ruby red swish of her cherry whip

The kiss of night from the Pontefract witch
We Love You – Lady Liqourish

 

In the sweetshops of my childhood it sat in  glass jars

A penny in your hand and hope in your eyes

Torpedos, Comfits and sherbet fountains

The sweet wooden root of surprise

Here comes the dark lady of the five towns

From medicinal cure to childhood treat

An adult pleasure to welcome you back

A kiss on her black lips so sweet

 

Welcome the kiss of Laila Liqourish

Smooth as fine silk and dark as pitch

The ruby red swish of her cherry whip

The kiss of night from the Pontefract witch
We Love You

Welcome the kiss of Laila Liqourish

Smooth as fine silk and dark as pitch

The ruby red swish of her cherry whip

The kiss of night from the Pontefract witch
We Love You – Lady Liqourish

Lady Liqourish

Lady Liqourish

Lady Liqourish