chapter 5 sir john to the rescue

I was not aware that the news of my nightly feasts reached the very same boy who had caught me, all those years ago and flung me down the well. His adventures in the Crusades had turned him into a brave, bold and chivalric knight, who went by the name of Sir John Lambton.
He was so horrified that the mistakes he had made as a boy was terrifying the population of his home town that he made the long and arduous journey home.
Having much experience of conflict and armed with a long sharp sword, he confronted me one evening, when I was at large. I tried to crush the man to death by wrapping my long, strong body around him, but he wore his strong metal armour, so I was unable to crush him. He slashed me several times, but I healed quickly and managed to escape.
On another occasion he waited for me by the river. He stood in the middle of a sandbank where the river ran cool and swift.
I slithered down to him. I was in control in these parts. I was not going to be defeated and pass my crown onto him!
I roared my most terrible roar at him and flashed by sharp needle teeth. This gesture alone would have made one of the local farmers quiver in their boots, or run away. But not Sir John. He stood firm in the middle of the river.
Once again, I tried to wrap my long, muscular body around his. Once again his metal covered body protected him from my attacks. He slashed at me with his sword and cut me completely in two. I tried to bring the two parts of my body back together again, so they could heal themselves. But my tail was caught up in the heavy current in one direction and my head went in another direction and I was swept right out to sea.

The news ov this myest aaful worm,
An' his queer gannins on,
Seun crossed the seas, gat te the ears,
Ov brave an' bowld Sor John.
So hyem he cam an' catched the beast,
An' cut 'im in twa haalves,
An' that seun stopped hes eatin' bairns
An' sheep an' lambs an' caalves.
(Chorus)
Wisht lads, haad yer gobs, Aa'll tell yers aall an aawful story,
wisht, lads, haad yer gobs, Aa'll tell yer aboot the warm.

So noo ye knaa hoo aall the foaks
On byeth sides ov the Wear
Lost lots o' sheep an' lots o' sleep
An leeved i' mortal feor.
So let's hev one te brave Sor John
That kept the bairns frae harm,
Saved coos an' calves by myekin' haalves
O' the famis Lambton Worm.
(Final Chorus)
Noo lads, Aa’ll haad me gob,
That's aall Aa knaa aboot the story
Of Sir John's clivvor job
Wi’ the aaful Lambton Worm.

my translation

The news of the terrible worm and his antics crossed the seas and reached the ears of brave and bold Sir John.
So, he came home and caught the beast,
and cut him in two halves
that soon stopped the creature from eating children, sheep, lambs and calves.
(chorus)
Now, boys, listen, I'll tell you all an awful story,
Now boys, listen, I'll tell you about the worm

So now, you know how all the folk on both sides of the River Wear,
lost lots of sheep and lots of sleep and lived in mortal fear
So, let's all have a drink to toast the bravery of Sir John,
Who kept the little children free from harm,
Saved cows and calves by cutting the famous Lambton Worm in half
(final chorus)
Now, boys, It's my turn to be quiet,
That's all I know about the story
Of Sir John's clever job with the awful Lambton Worm