424
HELEN OF KIRCONNELL... I wish I were where Helen lies,Night and day on me she cries;O that I were where Helen liesOn fair Kirconnell lea!Curst be the heart that thought the thought,And curst the hand that fired the shot,When in my arms burd Helen dropt,And died for sake o' me!O think na but my heart was sairWhen my love dropt down and spak nae mair;I laid her down wi' meikle careOn fair Kirconnell lea.As I went down the water-side,None but my foe to be my guide,None but my foe to be my guide,On fair Kirconnell lea;I lighted down, my sword to draw,I hackèd him in pieces sma',I hackèd him in pieces sma',For her that died for me.O Helen fair, beyond compare,I'll make a garland of thy hairShall bind my heart for evermair,Until the day I die.O that I were where Helen lies,Night and day on me she cries;Out of my bed she bids me rise,Says, "Haste and come to me!"O Helen fair! O Helen chaste!If I were with thee, I were blest,Where thou lies low and takes thy restOn fair Kirconnell lea.I wish my grave were growing green,A winding-sheet drawn ower my een,And I in Helen's arms lying,On fair Kirconnell lea.I wish I were where Helen lies,Night and day on me she cries;And I am weary of the skies,Since my love died for me.
... I wish I were where Helen lies,Night and day on me she cries;O that I were where Helen liesOn fair Kirconnell lea!Curst be the heart that thought the thought,And curst the hand that fired the shot,When in my arms burd Helen dropt,And died for sake o' me!O think na but my heart was sairWhen my love dropt down and spak nae mair;I laid her down wi' meikle careOn fair Kirconnell lea.As I went down the water-side,None but my foe to be my guide,None but my foe to be my guide,On fair Kirconnell lea;I lighted down, my sword to draw,I hackèd him in pieces sma',I hackèd him in pieces sma',For her that died for me.O Helen fair, beyond compare,I'll make a garland of thy hairShall bind my heart for evermair,Until the day I die.O that I were where Helen lies,Night and day on me she cries;Out of my bed she bids me rise,Says, "Haste and come to me!"O Helen fair! O Helen chaste!If I were with thee, I were blest,Where thou lies low and takes thy restOn fair Kirconnell lea.I wish my grave were growing green,A winding-sheet drawn ower my een,And I in Helen's arms lying,On fair Kirconnell lea.I wish I were where Helen lies,Night and day on me she cries;And I am weary of the skies,Since my love died for me.
... I wish I were where Helen lies,Night and day on me she cries;O that I were where Helen liesOn fair Kirconnell lea!
... I wish I were where Helen lies,
Night and day on me she cries;
O that I were where Helen lies
On fair Kirconnell lea!
Curst be the heart that thought the thought,And curst the hand that fired the shot,When in my arms burd Helen dropt,And died for sake o' me!
Curst be the heart that thought the thought,
And curst the hand that fired the shot,
When in my arms burd Helen dropt,
And died for sake o' me!
O think na but my heart was sairWhen my love dropt down and spak nae mair;I laid her down wi' meikle careOn fair Kirconnell lea.
O think na but my heart was sair
When my love dropt down and spak nae mair;
I laid her down wi' meikle care
On fair Kirconnell lea.
As I went down the water-side,None but my foe to be my guide,None but my foe to be my guide,On fair Kirconnell lea;
As I went down the water-side,
None but my foe to be my guide,
None but my foe to be my guide,
On fair Kirconnell lea;
I lighted down, my sword to draw,I hackèd him in pieces sma',I hackèd him in pieces sma',For her that died for me.
I lighted down, my sword to draw,
I hackèd him in pieces sma',
I hackèd him in pieces sma',
For her that died for me.
O Helen fair, beyond compare,I'll make a garland of thy hairShall bind my heart for evermair,Until the day I die.
O Helen fair, beyond compare,
I'll make a garland of thy hair
Shall bind my heart for evermair,
Until the day I die.
O that I were where Helen lies,Night and day on me she cries;Out of my bed she bids me rise,Says, "Haste and come to me!"
O that I were where Helen lies,
Night and day on me she cries;
Out of my bed she bids me rise,
Says, "Haste and come to me!"
O Helen fair! O Helen chaste!If I were with thee, I were blest,Where thou lies low and takes thy restOn fair Kirconnell lea.
O Helen fair! O Helen chaste!
If I were with thee, I were blest,
Where thou lies low and takes thy rest
On fair Kirconnell lea.
I wish my grave were growing green,A winding-sheet drawn ower my een,And I in Helen's arms lying,On fair Kirconnell lea.
I wish my grave were growing green,
A winding-sheet drawn ower my een,
And I in Helen's arms lying,
On fair Kirconnell lea.
I wish I were where Helen lies,Night and day on me she cries;And I am weary of the skies,Since my love died for me.
I wish I were where Helen lies,
Night and day on me she cries;
And I am weary of the skies,
Since my love died for me.
425
THE BONNIE BOWERThe Lament of the Border WidowMy love he built me a bonnie bower,And clad it a' wi' lily flower;A brawer bower ye ne'er did see,Than my true-love he built for me.There came a man, by middle day,He spied his sport, and went away;And brought the king that very night,Who brake my bower, and slew my knight.He slew my knight, to me sae dear;He slew my knight, and poin'd his gear:[194]My servants all for life did flee,And left me in extremitie.I sewed his sheet, making my mane;I watched the corpse, mysel alane;I watched his body night and day;No living creature came that way.I took his body on my back,And whiles I gaed, and whiles I sat;I digged a grave, and laid him in,And happed him with the sod sae green.But think na' ye my heart was sair,When I laid the moul' on his yellow hair?O, think na' ye my heart was wae,When I turned about, away to gae?Nae living man I'll love again,Since that my lovely knight is slain;Wi' ae lock o' his yellow hairI'll chain my heart for evermair.
The Lament of the Border Widow
My love he built me a bonnie bower,And clad it a' wi' lily flower;A brawer bower ye ne'er did see,Than my true-love he built for me.There came a man, by middle day,He spied his sport, and went away;And brought the king that very night,Who brake my bower, and slew my knight.He slew my knight, to me sae dear;He slew my knight, and poin'd his gear:[194]My servants all for life did flee,And left me in extremitie.I sewed his sheet, making my mane;I watched the corpse, mysel alane;I watched his body night and day;No living creature came that way.I took his body on my back,And whiles I gaed, and whiles I sat;I digged a grave, and laid him in,And happed him with the sod sae green.But think na' ye my heart was sair,When I laid the moul' on his yellow hair?O, think na' ye my heart was wae,When I turned about, away to gae?Nae living man I'll love again,Since that my lovely knight is slain;Wi' ae lock o' his yellow hairI'll chain my heart for evermair.
My love he built me a bonnie bower,And clad it a' wi' lily flower;A brawer bower ye ne'er did see,Than my true-love he built for me.
My love he built me a bonnie bower,
And clad it a' wi' lily flower;
A brawer bower ye ne'er did see,
Than my true-love he built for me.
There came a man, by middle day,He spied his sport, and went away;And brought the king that very night,Who brake my bower, and slew my knight.
There came a man, by middle day,
He spied his sport, and went away;
And brought the king that very night,
Who brake my bower, and slew my knight.
He slew my knight, to me sae dear;He slew my knight, and poin'd his gear:[194]My servants all for life did flee,And left me in extremitie.
He slew my knight, to me sae dear;
He slew my knight, and poin'd his gear:[194]
My servants all for life did flee,
And left me in extremitie.
I sewed his sheet, making my mane;I watched the corpse, mysel alane;I watched his body night and day;No living creature came that way.
I sewed his sheet, making my mane;
I watched the corpse, mysel alane;
I watched his body night and day;
No living creature came that way.
I took his body on my back,And whiles I gaed, and whiles I sat;I digged a grave, and laid him in,And happed him with the sod sae green.
I took his body on my back,
And whiles I gaed, and whiles I sat;
I digged a grave, and laid him in,
And happed him with the sod sae green.
But think na' ye my heart was sair,When I laid the moul' on his yellow hair?O, think na' ye my heart was wae,When I turned about, away to gae?
But think na' ye my heart was sair,
When I laid the moul' on his yellow hair?
O, think na' ye my heart was wae,
When I turned about, away to gae?
Nae living man I'll love again,Since that my lovely knight is slain;Wi' ae lock o' his yellow hairI'll chain my heart for evermair.
Nae living man I'll love again,
Since that my lovely knight is slain;
Wi' ae lock o' his yellow hair
I'll chain my heart for evermair.
426
WEEP NO MOREWeep no more, nor sigh nor groan,Sorrow calls no time that's gone:Violets plucked, the sweetest rainMakes not fresh nor grow again;Trim thy locks, look chearfully,Fate's hidden ends eyes cannot see.Joys as wingèd dreams fly fast,Why should sadness longer last?Grief is but a wound to woe;Gentlest fair, mourn, mourn no moe.[195]John Fletcher
Weep no more, nor sigh nor groan,Sorrow calls no time that's gone:Violets plucked, the sweetest rainMakes not fresh nor grow again;Trim thy locks, look chearfully,Fate's hidden ends eyes cannot see.Joys as wingèd dreams fly fast,Why should sadness longer last?Grief is but a wound to woe;Gentlest fair, mourn, mourn no moe.[195]John Fletcher
Weep no more, nor sigh nor groan,Sorrow calls no time that's gone:Violets plucked, the sweetest rainMakes not fresh nor grow again;Trim thy locks, look chearfully,Fate's hidden ends eyes cannot see.Joys as wingèd dreams fly fast,Why should sadness longer last?Grief is but a wound to woe;Gentlest fair, mourn, mourn no moe.[195]John Fletcher
Weep no more, nor sigh nor groan,
Sorrow calls no time that's gone:
Violets plucked, the sweetest rain
Makes not fresh nor grow again;
Trim thy locks, look chearfully,
Fate's hidden ends eyes cannot see.
Joys as wingèd dreams fly fast,
Why should sadness longer last?
Grief is but a wound to woe;
Gentlest fair, mourn, mourn no moe.[195]
John Fletcher
427
THE TWA SISTERSThere were twa sisters sat in a bowr;Binnorie, O Binnorie:There came a knight to be their wooerBy the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie.He courted the eldest wi' glove an ring,But he lov'd the youngest above a' thing.[196]He courted the eldest wi' brotch an knife,But lov'd the youngest as his life.The eldest she was vexed sair,An' much envi'd her sister fair.Into[197]her bow'r she could not rest,Wi' grief an spite she almos brast.Upon a morning fair an' clear,She cried upon her sister dear:—"O sister, come to yon sea stran,An see our father's ships come to lan."She's ta'en her by the milk-white han,An led her down to yon sea stran.The youngest stood upon a stane,The eldest came an threw her in.She tooke her by the middle sma,'An dashed her bonny back to the jaw.[198]"O sister, sister, tak my han,And Ise mack[199]you heir to a' my lan."O sister, sister, tak my middle,An yes get[200]my goud and my gouden girdle."O sister, sister, save my life,An I swear Ise never be nae man's wife.""Foul fa' the han that I should tacke,It twin'd me an my wardles make.[201]"Your cherry cheeks an yallow hairGars me gae maiden for evermair."Sometimes she sank, an sometimes she swam,Till she came down yon bonny mill-dam.O out it came the miller's son,An' saw the fair maid swimmin in."O father, father, draw your dam,Here's either a mermaid or a swan."The miller quickly drew the dam,An there he found a drown'd woman.You coudna see her yallow hairFor gold and pearle that were so rare.You coudna see her middle sma'For gouden girdle that was sae braw.You coudna see her fingers white,For gouden rings that was sae gryte.[202]An by there came a harper fine,That harped to the king at dine.When he did look that lady upon,He sigh'd and made a heavy moan.He's taen three locks o' her yallow hair,An wi' them strung his harp sae fair.The first tune he did play and sing,Was, "Farewell to my father the king."The nextin tune that he play'd syne,Was, "Farewell to my mother the queen."The lastin tune that he play'd then,Was, "Wae to my sister, fair Ellen."
There were twa sisters sat in a bowr;Binnorie, O Binnorie:There came a knight to be their wooerBy the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie.He courted the eldest wi' glove an ring,But he lov'd the youngest above a' thing.[196]He courted the eldest wi' brotch an knife,But lov'd the youngest as his life.The eldest she was vexed sair,An' much envi'd her sister fair.Into[197]her bow'r she could not rest,Wi' grief an spite she almos brast.Upon a morning fair an' clear,She cried upon her sister dear:—"O sister, come to yon sea stran,An see our father's ships come to lan."She's ta'en her by the milk-white han,An led her down to yon sea stran.The youngest stood upon a stane,The eldest came an threw her in.She tooke her by the middle sma,'An dashed her bonny back to the jaw.[198]"O sister, sister, tak my han,And Ise mack[199]you heir to a' my lan."O sister, sister, tak my middle,An yes get[200]my goud and my gouden girdle."O sister, sister, save my life,An I swear Ise never be nae man's wife.""Foul fa' the han that I should tacke,It twin'd me an my wardles make.[201]"Your cherry cheeks an yallow hairGars me gae maiden for evermair."Sometimes she sank, an sometimes she swam,Till she came down yon bonny mill-dam.O out it came the miller's son,An' saw the fair maid swimmin in."O father, father, draw your dam,Here's either a mermaid or a swan."The miller quickly drew the dam,An there he found a drown'd woman.You coudna see her yallow hairFor gold and pearle that were so rare.You coudna see her middle sma'For gouden girdle that was sae braw.You coudna see her fingers white,For gouden rings that was sae gryte.[202]An by there came a harper fine,That harped to the king at dine.When he did look that lady upon,He sigh'd and made a heavy moan.He's taen three locks o' her yallow hair,An wi' them strung his harp sae fair.The first tune he did play and sing,Was, "Farewell to my father the king."The nextin tune that he play'd syne,Was, "Farewell to my mother the queen."The lastin tune that he play'd then,Was, "Wae to my sister, fair Ellen."
There were twa sisters sat in a bowr;Binnorie, O Binnorie:There came a knight to be their wooerBy the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie.
There were twa sisters sat in a bowr;
Binnorie, O Binnorie:
There came a knight to be their wooer
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie.
He courted the eldest wi' glove an ring,But he lov'd the youngest above a' thing.[196]
He courted the eldest wi' glove an ring,
But he lov'd the youngest above a' thing.[196]
He courted the eldest wi' brotch an knife,But lov'd the youngest as his life.
He courted the eldest wi' brotch an knife,
But lov'd the youngest as his life.
The eldest she was vexed sair,An' much envi'd her sister fair.
The eldest she was vexed sair,
An' much envi'd her sister fair.
Into[197]her bow'r she could not rest,Wi' grief an spite she almos brast.
Into[197]her bow'r she could not rest,
Wi' grief an spite she almos brast.
Upon a morning fair an' clear,She cried upon her sister dear:—
Upon a morning fair an' clear,
She cried upon her sister dear:—
"O sister, come to yon sea stran,An see our father's ships come to lan."
"O sister, come to yon sea stran,
An see our father's ships come to lan."
She's ta'en her by the milk-white han,An led her down to yon sea stran.
She's ta'en her by the milk-white han,
An led her down to yon sea stran.
The youngest stood upon a stane,The eldest came an threw her in.
The youngest stood upon a stane,
The eldest came an threw her in.
She tooke her by the middle sma,'An dashed her bonny back to the jaw.[198]
She tooke her by the middle sma,'
An dashed her bonny back to the jaw.[198]
"O sister, sister, tak my han,And Ise mack[199]you heir to a' my lan.
"O sister, sister, tak my han,
And Ise mack[199]you heir to a' my lan.
"O sister, sister, tak my middle,An yes get[200]my goud and my gouden girdle.
"O sister, sister, tak my middle,
An yes get[200]my goud and my gouden girdle.
"O sister, sister, save my life,An I swear Ise never be nae man's wife."
"O sister, sister, save my life,
An I swear Ise never be nae man's wife."
"Foul fa' the han that I should tacke,It twin'd me an my wardles make.[201]
"Foul fa' the han that I should tacke,
It twin'd me an my wardles make.[201]
"Your cherry cheeks an yallow hairGars me gae maiden for evermair."
"Your cherry cheeks an yallow hair
Gars me gae maiden for evermair."
Sometimes she sank, an sometimes she swam,Till she came down yon bonny mill-dam.
Sometimes she sank, an sometimes she swam,
Till she came down yon bonny mill-dam.
O out it came the miller's son,An' saw the fair maid swimmin in.
O out it came the miller's son,
An' saw the fair maid swimmin in.
"O father, father, draw your dam,Here's either a mermaid or a swan."
"O father, father, draw your dam,
Here's either a mermaid or a swan."
The miller quickly drew the dam,An there he found a drown'd woman.
The miller quickly drew the dam,
An there he found a drown'd woman.
You coudna see her yallow hairFor gold and pearle that were so rare.
You coudna see her yallow hair
For gold and pearle that were so rare.
You coudna see her middle sma'For gouden girdle that was sae braw.
You coudna see her middle sma'
For gouden girdle that was sae braw.
You coudna see her fingers white,For gouden rings that was sae gryte.[202]
You coudna see her fingers white,
For gouden rings that was sae gryte.[202]
An by there came a harper fine,That harped to the king at dine.
An by there came a harper fine,
That harped to the king at dine.
When he did look that lady upon,He sigh'd and made a heavy moan.
When he did look that lady upon,
He sigh'd and made a heavy moan.
He's taen three locks o' her yallow hair,An wi' them strung his harp sae fair.
He's taen three locks o' her yallow hair,
An wi' them strung his harp sae fair.
The first tune he did play and sing,Was, "Farewell to my father the king."
The first tune he did play and sing,
Was, "Farewell to my father the king."
The nextin tune that he play'd syne,Was, "Farewell to my mother the queen."
The nextin tune that he play'd syne,
Was, "Farewell to my mother the queen."
The lastin tune that he play'd then,Was, "Wae to my sister, fair Ellen."
The lastin tune that he play'd then,
Was, "Wae to my sister, fair Ellen."
428
SWEET WILLIAM AND MAY MARGARETThere came a ghost to Margret's door,With many a grievous groan;And aye he tirlèd at the pin,But answer made she none...."Is that my father Philip?Or is't my brother John?Or is't my true-love Willie,From Scotland new come home?"'Tis not thy father Philip,Nor yet thy brother John,But' tis thy true-love Willie,From Scotland new come home."O sweet Margret, O dear Margret,I pray thee speak to me;Give me my faith and troth, Margret,As I gave it to thee.""Thy faith and troth thou's never get,Nor yet will I thee lend,Till that thou come within my bowerAnd kiss me cheek and chin.""If I shou'd come within thy bower,I am no earthly man;And shou'd I kiss thy ruby lips,Thy days would not be lang."O sweet Margret, O dear Margret,I pray thee speak to me;Give me my faith and troth, Margret,As I gave it to thee.""Thy faith and troth thou's never get,Nor yet will I thee lend,Till thou take me to yon kirk-yard,And wed me with a ring.""My bones are buried in yon kirk-yardAfar beyond the sea;And it is but my spirit, Margret,That's now speaking to thee."She stretched out her lily-white hand,And, for to do her best:"Hae, there's your faith and troth, Willie;God send your soul good rest."...Now she has kilted her robes o' greenA piece below her knee,And a' the live-lang winter nightThe dead corp followed she."Is there any room at your head, Willie,Or any room at your feet?Or any room at your side, Willie,Wherein that I may creep?""There's nae room at my head, Margret,There's nae room at my feet;There's nae room at my side, Margret,My coffin's made so meet."Then up and crew the red, red cock,And up and crew the grey;"'Tis time, 'tis time, my dear Margret,That you were gane awa'."
There came a ghost to Margret's door,With many a grievous groan;And aye he tirlèd at the pin,But answer made she none...."Is that my father Philip?Or is't my brother John?Or is't my true-love Willie,From Scotland new come home?"'Tis not thy father Philip,Nor yet thy brother John,But' tis thy true-love Willie,From Scotland new come home."O sweet Margret, O dear Margret,I pray thee speak to me;Give me my faith and troth, Margret,As I gave it to thee.""Thy faith and troth thou's never get,Nor yet will I thee lend,Till that thou come within my bowerAnd kiss me cheek and chin.""If I shou'd come within thy bower,I am no earthly man;And shou'd I kiss thy ruby lips,Thy days would not be lang."O sweet Margret, O dear Margret,I pray thee speak to me;Give me my faith and troth, Margret,As I gave it to thee.""Thy faith and troth thou's never get,Nor yet will I thee lend,Till thou take me to yon kirk-yard,And wed me with a ring.""My bones are buried in yon kirk-yardAfar beyond the sea;And it is but my spirit, Margret,That's now speaking to thee."She stretched out her lily-white hand,And, for to do her best:"Hae, there's your faith and troth, Willie;God send your soul good rest."...Now she has kilted her robes o' greenA piece below her knee,And a' the live-lang winter nightThe dead corp followed she."Is there any room at your head, Willie,Or any room at your feet?Or any room at your side, Willie,Wherein that I may creep?""There's nae room at my head, Margret,There's nae room at my feet;There's nae room at my side, Margret,My coffin's made so meet."Then up and crew the red, red cock,And up and crew the grey;"'Tis time, 'tis time, my dear Margret,That you were gane awa'."
There came a ghost to Margret's door,With many a grievous groan;And aye he tirlèd at the pin,But answer made she none....
There came a ghost to Margret's door,
With many a grievous groan;
And aye he tirlèd at the pin,
But answer made she none....
"Is that my father Philip?Or is't my brother John?Or is't my true-love Willie,From Scotland new come home?"
"Is that my father Philip?
Or is't my brother John?
Or is't my true-love Willie,
From Scotland new come home?"
'Tis not thy father Philip,Nor yet thy brother John,But' tis thy true-love Willie,From Scotland new come home.
'Tis not thy father Philip,
Nor yet thy brother John,
But' tis thy true-love Willie,
From Scotland new come home.
"O sweet Margret, O dear Margret,I pray thee speak to me;Give me my faith and troth, Margret,As I gave it to thee."
"O sweet Margret, O dear Margret,
I pray thee speak to me;
Give me my faith and troth, Margret,
As I gave it to thee."
"Thy faith and troth thou's never get,Nor yet will I thee lend,Till that thou come within my bowerAnd kiss me cheek and chin."
"Thy faith and troth thou's never get,
Nor yet will I thee lend,
Till that thou come within my bower
And kiss me cheek and chin."
"If I shou'd come within thy bower,I am no earthly man;And shou'd I kiss thy ruby lips,Thy days would not be lang.
"If I shou'd come within thy bower,
I am no earthly man;
And shou'd I kiss thy ruby lips,
Thy days would not be lang.
"O sweet Margret, O dear Margret,I pray thee speak to me;Give me my faith and troth, Margret,As I gave it to thee."
"O sweet Margret, O dear Margret,
I pray thee speak to me;
Give me my faith and troth, Margret,
As I gave it to thee."
"Thy faith and troth thou's never get,Nor yet will I thee lend,Till thou take me to yon kirk-yard,And wed me with a ring."
"Thy faith and troth thou's never get,
Nor yet will I thee lend,
Till thou take me to yon kirk-yard,
And wed me with a ring."
"My bones are buried in yon kirk-yardAfar beyond the sea;And it is but my spirit, Margret,That's now speaking to thee."
"My bones are buried in yon kirk-yard
Afar beyond the sea;
And it is but my spirit, Margret,
That's now speaking to thee."
She stretched out her lily-white hand,And, for to do her best:"Hae, there's your faith and troth, Willie;God send your soul good rest."...
She stretched out her lily-white hand,
And, for to do her best:
"Hae, there's your faith and troth, Willie;
God send your soul good rest."...
Now she has kilted her robes o' greenA piece below her knee,And a' the live-lang winter nightThe dead corp followed she.
Now she has kilted her robes o' green
A piece below her knee,
And a' the live-lang winter night
The dead corp followed she.
"Is there any room at your head, Willie,Or any room at your feet?Or any room at your side, Willie,Wherein that I may creep?"
"Is there any room at your head, Willie,
Or any room at your feet?
Or any room at your side, Willie,
Wherein that I may creep?"
"There's nae room at my head, Margret,There's nae room at my feet;There's nae room at my side, Margret,My coffin's made so meet."
"There's nae room at my head, Margret,
There's nae room at my feet;
There's nae room at my side, Margret,
My coffin's made so meet."
Then up and crew the red, red cock,And up and crew the grey;"'Tis time, 'tis time, my dear Margret,That you were gane awa'."
Then up and crew the red, red cock,
And up and crew the grey;
"'Tis time, 'tis time, my dear Margret,
That you were gane awa'."
429
THE WIFE OF USHER'S WELLThere lived a wife at Usher's WellAnd a wealthy wife was she;She had three stout and stalwart sons,And sent them o'er the sea.They hadna been a week from her,A week but barely ane,Whan word came to the carline wifeThat her three sons were gane.They hadna been a week from her,A week but barely three,Whan word came to the carline wifeThat her sons she'd never see."I wish the wind may never cease,Nor fashes in the flood,Till my three sons come hame to me,In earthly flesh and blood."—It fell about the Martinmass,When nights are lang and mirk,The carline wife's three sons came hame,And their hats were o the birk.It neither grew in syke nor ditch,Nor yet in ony sheugh;But at the gates o' ParadiseThat birk grew fair eneugh...."Blow up the fire, my maidens,Bring water from the well;For a' my house shall feast this nightSince my three sons are well."And she has made to them a bed,She's made it large and wide;And she's ta'en her mantle her about,Sat down at the bedside."Lie still, lie still but a little wee while,Lie still but if we may;Gin my mother should miss us when she wakesShe'll go mad ere it be day."Our mother has nae mair but us;See where she leans asleep;The mantle that was on herself,She has happ'd it round our feet."Up then crew the red, red cock,And up and crew the grey;The eldest to the youngest said,"'Tis time we were away!"The cock he hadna crawed but once,And clapped his wings at a',When the youngest to the eldest said,"Brother, we must awa'."The cock doth craw, the day doth daw,The channerin worm doth chide;Gin we be mist out o' our place,A sair pain we maun bide."Fare ye weel, my mother dear!Fareweel to barn and byre!And fare ye weel, the bonny lassThat kindles my mother's fire!"
There lived a wife at Usher's WellAnd a wealthy wife was she;She had three stout and stalwart sons,And sent them o'er the sea.They hadna been a week from her,A week but barely ane,Whan word came to the carline wifeThat her three sons were gane.They hadna been a week from her,A week but barely three,Whan word came to the carline wifeThat her sons she'd never see."I wish the wind may never cease,Nor fashes in the flood,Till my three sons come hame to me,In earthly flesh and blood."—It fell about the Martinmass,When nights are lang and mirk,The carline wife's three sons came hame,And their hats were o the birk.It neither grew in syke nor ditch,Nor yet in ony sheugh;But at the gates o' ParadiseThat birk grew fair eneugh...."Blow up the fire, my maidens,Bring water from the well;For a' my house shall feast this nightSince my three sons are well."And she has made to them a bed,She's made it large and wide;And she's ta'en her mantle her about,Sat down at the bedside."Lie still, lie still but a little wee while,Lie still but if we may;Gin my mother should miss us when she wakesShe'll go mad ere it be day."Our mother has nae mair but us;See where she leans asleep;The mantle that was on herself,She has happ'd it round our feet."Up then crew the red, red cock,And up and crew the grey;The eldest to the youngest said,"'Tis time we were away!"The cock he hadna crawed but once,And clapped his wings at a',When the youngest to the eldest said,"Brother, we must awa'."The cock doth craw, the day doth daw,The channerin worm doth chide;Gin we be mist out o' our place,A sair pain we maun bide."Fare ye weel, my mother dear!Fareweel to barn and byre!And fare ye weel, the bonny lassThat kindles my mother's fire!"
There lived a wife at Usher's WellAnd a wealthy wife was she;She had three stout and stalwart sons,And sent them o'er the sea.
There lived a wife at Usher's Well
And a wealthy wife was she;
She had three stout and stalwart sons,
And sent them o'er the sea.
They hadna been a week from her,A week but barely ane,Whan word came to the carline wifeThat her three sons were gane.
They hadna been a week from her,
A week but barely ane,
Whan word came to the carline wife
That her three sons were gane.
They hadna been a week from her,A week but barely three,Whan word came to the carline wifeThat her sons she'd never see.
They hadna been a week from her,
A week but barely three,
Whan word came to the carline wife
That her sons she'd never see.
"I wish the wind may never cease,Nor fashes in the flood,Till my three sons come hame to me,In earthly flesh and blood."—
"I wish the wind may never cease,
Nor fashes in the flood,
Till my three sons come hame to me,
In earthly flesh and blood."—
It fell about the Martinmass,When nights are lang and mirk,The carline wife's three sons came hame,And their hats were o the birk.
It fell about the Martinmass,
When nights are lang and mirk,
The carline wife's three sons came hame,
And their hats were o the birk.
It neither grew in syke nor ditch,Nor yet in ony sheugh;But at the gates o' ParadiseThat birk grew fair eneugh....
It neither grew in syke nor ditch,
Nor yet in ony sheugh;
But at the gates o' Paradise
That birk grew fair eneugh....
"Blow up the fire, my maidens,Bring water from the well;For a' my house shall feast this nightSince my three sons are well."
"Blow up the fire, my maidens,
Bring water from the well;
For a' my house shall feast this night
Since my three sons are well."
And she has made to them a bed,She's made it large and wide;And she's ta'en her mantle her about,Sat down at the bedside.
And she has made to them a bed,
She's made it large and wide;
And she's ta'en her mantle her about,
Sat down at the bedside.
"Lie still, lie still but a little wee while,Lie still but if we may;Gin my mother should miss us when she wakesShe'll go mad ere it be day.
"Lie still, lie still but a little wee while,
Lie still but if we may;
Gin my mother should miss us when she wakes
She'll go mad ere it be day.
"Our mother has nae mair but us;See where she leans asleep;The mantle that was on herself,She has happ'd it round our feet."
"Our mother has nae mair but us;
See where she leans asleep;
The mantle that was on herself,
She has happ'd it round our feet."
Up then crew the red, red cock,And up and crew the grey;The eldest to the youngest said,"'Tis time we were away!"
Up then crew the red, red cock,
And up and crew the grey;
The eldest to the youngest said,
"'Tis time we were away!"
The cock he hadna crawed but once,And clapped his wings at a',When the youngest to the eldest said,"Brother, we must awa'.
The cock he hadna crawed but once,
And clapped his wings at a',
When the youngest to the eldest said,
"Brother, we must awa'.
"The cock doth craw, the day doth daw,The channerin worm doth chide;Gin we be mist out o' our place,A sair pain we maun bide.
"The cock doth craw, the day doth daw,
The channerin worm doth chide;
Gin we be mist out o' our place,
A sair pain we maun bide.
"Fare ye weel, my mother dear!Fareweel to barn and byre!And fare ye weel, the bonny lassThat kindles my mother's fire!"
"Fare ye weel, my mother dear!
Fareweel to barn and byre!
And fare ye weel, the bonny lass
That kindles my mother's fire!"