This is my first attempt at writing my own lyrics. A familiar tune I know and do apologise for that; but the lyrics fit into it so nicely. It tells the story of an unsolved murder during the Second World War, close to where I come from in the Midlands. It's a story I grew up listening to and the mystery never has been solved to this day. Some young lads were out nesting in Hagley Wood when one reached into a hollow tree, known locally as a wych-elm and what he thought to be a birds nest was in fact a clump of hair attached to a skull. Some graffiti appeared some time later on the Hagley obelisk/monument with the words "Who put Bella in the wych-elm", this question has never been answered. I couldn't find many songs dealing with it so I thought I would have a go at writing my own, I've included the lyrics below. Hope You like it.

Four young lads they went a poachin', back in nineteen forty three.
With their minds set on bird nestin', they thought they'd bag their eggs for free.
Hagley wood was their location, when they saw a hollow tree.
But what horror struck amongst them, when one reached inside that tree.
What he grabbed there was no birds nest, but a clump of auburn hair.
When he pulled it from the hollow, the skull attached gave quite a scare.

Now it is the stuff of legend, out there in the Black Country.
Who put "Bella" in the wych-elm, still remains a mystery.

So they scarpered from the woodland, confused and scared by what they'd seen.
Pondered should they tell their parents, hold their hands up and come clean.
So the story got more gorey, once alarm bells had been rang.
For when police there started diggin', they found her shoe and severed hand.
No one knows why she was put there, or by whos' hand she did fall.
Then the Hagley Obelisk, gave us a name but that was all.

Now it is the stuff of legend, out there in the Black Country.
Who put "Bella" in the wych-elm, still remains a mystery.

Some say spies they came and got her, witch-craft stories by the score.
Others say it was her lover, who led her to her makers' door.
There was somewhere; someone out there, and for trial they never stood.
For the fate they dealt poor Bella, on that day in Hagley wood.
Guess we'll never know the answers, but there's one thing of which I'm sure.
She will never be forgotten; her story told for ever more.

So it is the stuff of legend, out there in the Black Country.
Who put "Bella" in the wych-elm, will remain a mystery.

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