'O sister, sister, reach thy hand!Hey ho, my Nanny, O;And you shall be heir of all my land,While the swan swims bonney, O.'"
'O sister, sister, reach thy hand!Hey ho, my Nanny, O;And you shall be heir of all my land,While the swan swims bonney, O.'"
There were two sisters sat in a bour;Bínnorie, O Bínnorie;There came a knight to be their wooer;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.He courted the eldest with glove and ring,5Binnorie, O Binnorie;But he lo'ed the youngest abune a' thing;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.He courted the eldest with broach and knife,Binnorie, O Binnorie;10But he lo'ed the youngest abune his life;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.The eldest she was vexed sair,Binnorie, O Binnorie;And sore envied her sister fair;15By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.The eldest said to the youngest ane,Binnorie, O Binnorie;"Will ye go and see our father's ships come in?"By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.20She's ta'en her by the lily hand,Binnorie, O Binnorie;And led her down to the river strand;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.The youngest stude upon a stane,25Binnorie, O Binnorie;The eldest came and pushed her in;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.She took her by the middle sma',Binnorie, O Binnorie;30And dash'd her bonny back to the jaw;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie."O sister, sister, reach your hand,Binnorie, O Binnorie;And ye shall be heir of half my land."—35By the bonny milldams of Binnorie."O sister, I'll not reach my hand,Binnorie, O Binnorie;And I'll be heir of all your land;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.40"Shame fa' the hand that I should take,Binnorie, O Binnorie;It's twin'd me and my world's make."—By the bonny milldams of Binnorie."O sister, reach me but your glove,45Binnorie, O Binnorie;And sweet William shall be your love."—By the bonny milldams of Binnorie."Sink on, nor hope for hand or glove!Binnorie, O Binnorie;50And sweet William shall better be my love,By the bonny milldams of Binnorie."Your cherry cheeks and your yellow hair,Binnorie, O Binnorie,Garr'd me gang maiden evermair."—55By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.Sometimes she sunk, and sometimes she swam,Binnorie, O Binnorie;Until she cam to the miller's dam;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.60"O father, father, draw your dam!Binnorie, O Binnorie;There's either a mermaid, or a milk-white swan."By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.The miller hasted and drew his dam,65Binnorie, O Binnorie;And there he found a drown'd woman;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.You could not see her yellow hair,Binnorie, O Binnorie;70For gowd and pearls that were so rare;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.You could not see her middle sma',Binnorie, O Binnorie;Her gowden girdle was sae bra';75By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.A famous harper passing by,Binnorie, O Binnorie;The sweet pale face he chanced to spy;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.80And when he looked that lady on,Binnorie, O Binnorie;He sigh'd and made a heavy moan;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.He made a harp of her breast-bone,85Binnorie, O Binnorie;Whose sounds would melt a heart of stone;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.The strings he framed of her yellow hair,Binnorie, O Binnorie;90Whose notes made sad the listening ear;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.He brought it to her father's hall,Binnorie, O Binnorie;And there was the court assembled all;95By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.He laid his harp upon a stone,Binnorie, O Binnorie;And straight it began to play alone;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.100"O yonder sits my father, the king,Binnorie, O Binnorie;And yonder sits my mother, the queen;"By the bonny milldams of Binnorie."And yonder stands my brother Hugh,105Binnorie, O Binnorie;And by him my William, sweet and true."By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.But the last tune that the harp play'd then,Binnorie, O Binnorie;110Was—"Woe to my sister, false Helen!"By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
There were two sisters sat in a bour;Bínnorie, O Bínnorie;There came a knight to be their wooer;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
He courted the eldest with glove and ring,5Binnorie, O Binnorie;But he lo'ed the youngest abune a' thing;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
He courted the eldest with broach and knife,Binnorie, O Binnorie;10But he lo'ed the youngest abune his life;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
The eldest she was vexed sair,Binnorie, O Binnorie;And sore envied her sister fair;15By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
The eldest said to the youngest ane,Binnorie, O Binnorie;"Will ye go and see our father's ships come in?"By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.20
She's ta'en her by the lily hand,Binnorie, O Binnorie;And led her down to the river strand;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
The youngest stude upon a stane,25Binnorie, O Binnorie;The eldest came and pushed her in;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
She took her by the middle sma',Binnorie, O Binnorie;30And dash'd her bonny back to the jaw;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
"O sister, sister, reach your hand,Binnorie, O Binnorie;And ye shall be heir of half my land."—35By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
"O sister, I'll not reach my hand,Binnorie, O Binnorie;And I'll be heir of all your land;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.40
"Shame fa' the hand that I should take,Binnorie, O Binnorie;It's twin'd me and my world's make."—By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
"O sister, reach me but your glove,45Binnorie, O Binnorie;And sweet William shall be your love."—By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
"Sink on, nor hope for hand or glove!Binnorie, O Binnorie;50And sweet William shall better be my love,By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
"Your cherry cheeks and your yellow hair,Binnorie, O Binnorie,Garr'd me gang maiden evermair."—55By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
Sometimes she sunk, and sometimes she swam,Binnorie, O Binnorie;Until she cam to the miller's dam;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.60
"O father, father, draw your dam!Binnorie, O Binnorie;There's either a mermaid, or a milk-white swan."By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
The miller hasted and drew his dam,65Binnorie, O Binnorie;And there he found a drown'd woman;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
You could not see her yellow hair,Binnorie, O Binnorie;70For gowd and pearls that were so rare;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
You could not see her middle sma',Binnorie, O Binnorie;Her gowden girdle was sae bra';75By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
A famous harper passing by,Binnorie, O Binnorie;The sweet pale face he chanced to spy;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.80
And when he looked that lady on,Binnorie, O Binnorie;He sigh'd and made a heavy moan;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
He made a harp of her breast-bone,85Binnorie, O Binnorie;Whose sounds would melt a heart of stone;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
The strings he framed of her yellow hair,Binnorie, O Binnorie;90Whose notes made sad the listening ear;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
He brought it to her father's hall,Binnorie, O Binnorie;And there was the court assembled all;95By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
He laid his harp upon a stone,Binnorie, O Binnorie;And straight it began to play alone;By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.100
"O yonder sits my father, the king,Binnorie, O Binnorie;And yonder sits my mother, the queen;"By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
"And yonder stands my brother Hugh,105Binnorie, O Binnorie;And by him my William, sweet and true."By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
But the last tune that the harp play'd then,Binnorie, O Binnorie;110Was—"Woe to my sister, false Helen!"By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
Verbatim(with one interpolated stanza) from the recitation of Mrs. Brown. Jamieson'sPopular Ballads, i. 50.
There was twa sisters liv'd in a bower,Bínnorie, O Bínnorie!There came a knight to be their wooer,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.He courted the eldest wi' glove and ring,5Binnorie, O Binnorie!But he loved the youngest aboon a' thing,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.He courted the eldest wi' broach and knife,Binnorie, O Binnorie!10But he loved the youngest as his life,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.The eldest she was vexed sair,Binnorie, O Binnorie!And sair envied her sister fair,15By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.Intill her bower she coudna rest,Binnorie, O Binnorie!Wi' grief and spite she maistly brast,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.20Upon a morning fair and clear,Binnorie, O Binnorie!She cried upon her sister dear,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie."O sister, come to yon sea strand,25Binnorie, O Binnorie!And see our father's ships come to land,"By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.She's ta'en her by the milk-white hand,Binnorie, O Binnorie!30And led her down to yon sea strand,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.The youngest stood upon a stane,Binnorie, O Binnorie!The eldest came and threw her in,35By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.She took her by the middle sma'Binnorie, O Binnorie!And dashed her bonny back to the jaw,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.40"O sister, sister, tak my hand,Binnorie, O Binnorie!And I'se mak ye heir to a' my land,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie."O sister, sister, tak my middle,45Binnorie, O Binnorie!And ye's get my goud and my gouden girdle,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie."O sister, sister, save my life,Binnorie, O Binnorie!50And I swear I'se never be nae man's wife,"By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie."Foul fa' the hand that I should tak,Binnorie, O Binnorie!It twin'd me o' my warldes mak,55By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie."Your cherry cheeks and yellow hairBinnorie, O Binnorie!Gars me gang maiden for evermair,"By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.60Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam,Binnorie, O Binnorie!Till she came to the mouth o' yon mill-dam,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.O out it came the miller's son,65Binnorie, O Binnorie!And saw the fair maid soummin in,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie."O father, father, draw your dam,Binnorie, O Binnorie!70There's either a mermaid or a swan,"By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.[The miller quickly drew the dam,Binnorie, O Binnorie!And there he found a drown'd woman,75By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.]"And sair and lang mat their teen last,Binnorie, O Binnorie!That wrought thee sic a dowie cast,"By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie!80You coudna see her yellow hairBinnorie, O Binnorie!For goud and pearl that was sae rare,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.You coudna see her middle sma85Binnorie, O Binnorie!For gouden girdle that was sae braw,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.You coudna see her fingers white,Binnorie, O Binnorie!90For gouden rings that were sae gryte,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.And by there came a harper fine,Binnorie, O Binnorie!That harped to the king at dine,95By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.Whan he did look that lady upon,Binnorie, O Binnorie!He sigh'd and made a heavy moan,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.100He's ta'en three locks o' her yellow hair,Binnorie, O Binnorie!And wi' them strung his harp sae fair,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.The first tune it did play and sing,105Binnorie, O Binnorie!Was, "Fareweel to my father the king,"By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.The nexten tune that it play'd seen,Binnorie, O Binnorie!110Was, "Fareweel to my mither the queen,"By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.The thirden tune that it play'd then,Binnorie, O Binnorie!Was, "Wae to my sister, fair Ellen,"115By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie!
There was twa sisters liv'd in a bower,Bínnorie, O Bínnorie!There came a knight to be their wooer,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
He courted the eldest wi' glove and ring,5Binnorie, O Binnorie!But he loved the youngest aboon a' thing,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
He courted the eldest wi' broach and knife,Binnorie, O Binnorie!10But he loved the youngest as his life,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
The eldest she was vexed sair,Binnorie, O Binnorie!And sair envied her sister fair,15By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
Intill her bower she coudna rest,Binnorie, O Binnorie!Wi' grief and spite she maistly brast,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.20
Upon a morning fair and clear,Binnorie, O Binnorie!She cried upon her sister dear,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
"O sister, come to yon sea strand,25Binnorie, O Binnorie!And see our father's ships come to land,"By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
She's ta'en her by the milk-white hand,Binnorie, O Binnorie!30And led her down to yon sea strand,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
The youngest stood upon a stane,Binnorie, O Binnorie!The eldest came and threw her in,35By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
She took her by the middle sma'Binnorie, O Binnorie!And dashed her bonny back to the jaw,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.40
"O sister, sister, tak my hand,Binnorie, O Binnorie!And I'se mak ye heir to a' my land,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
"O sister, sister, tak my middle,45Binnorie, O Binnorie!And ye's get my goud and my gouden girdle,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
"O sister, sister, save my life,Binnorie, O Binnorie!50And I swear I'se never be nae man's wife,"By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
"Foul fa' the hand that I should tak,Binnorie, O Binnorie!It twin'd me o' my warldes mak,55By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
"Your cherry cheeks and yellow hairBinnorie, O Binnorie!Gars me gang maiden for evermair,"By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.60
Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam,Binnorie, O Binnorie!Till she came to the mouth o' yon mill-dam,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
O out it came the miller's son,65Binnorie, O Binnorie!And saw the fair maid soummin in,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
"O father, father, draw your dam,Binnorie, O Binnorie!70There's either a mermaid or a swan,"By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
[The miller quickly drew the dam,Binnorie, O Binnorie!And there he found a drown'd woman,75By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.]
"And sair and lang mat their teen last,Binnorie, O Binnorie!That wrought thee sic a dowie cast,"By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie!80
You coudna see her yellow hairBinnorie, O Binnorie!For goud and pearl that was sae rare,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
You coudna see her middle sma85Binnorie, O Binnorie!For gouden girdle that was sae braw,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
You coudna see her fingers white,Binnorie, O Binnorie!90For gouden rings that were sae gryte,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
And by there came a harper fine,Binnorie, O Binnorie!That harped to the king at dine,95By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
Whan he did look that lady upon,Binnorie, O Binnorie!He sigh'd and made a heavy moan,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.100
He's ta'en three locks o' her yellow hair,Binnorie, O Binnorie!And wi' them strung his harp sae fair,By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
The first tune it did play and sing,105Binnorie, O Binnorie!Was, "Fareweel to my father the king,"By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
The nexten tune that it play'd seen,Binnorie, O Binnorie!110Was, "Fareweel to my mither the queen,"By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
The thirden tune that it play'd then,Binnorie, O Binnorie!Was, "Wae to my sister, fair Ellen,"115By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie!
Kinloch'sAncient Scottish Ballads, p. 110.
Like the two which preceded it, this ballad is common to the Gothic nations. It exists in a great variety of forms. Two stanzas, recovered by Burns, were printed in Johnson'sMuseum, i. 337; two others were inserted by Jamieson, in hisIllustrations, p. 319. TheBorder Minstrelsyfurnished five stanzas, giving thestory, without the bequests. Allan Cunningham's alteration of Scott's version, (Scottish Songs, i. 285,) has one stanza more. Kinloch procured from the North of Scotland the following complete copy.
In the Appendix, we have placed a nursery song on the same subject, still familiar in Scotland, and translations of the corresponding German and Swedish ballads—both most remarkable cases of parallelism in popular romance.
Lord Donald, as Kinloch remarks, would seem to have been poisoned by eating toads prepared as fishes. Scott, in his introduction toLord Randal, has quoted from an old chronicle, a fabulous account of the poisoning of King John by means of a cup of ale, in which the venom of this reptile had been infused.
"O whare hae ye been a' day, Lord Donald, my son?O whare hae ye been a' day, my jollie young man?""I've been awa courtin':—mither, mak my bed sune,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.""What wad ye hae for your supper, Lord Donald, my son?5What wad ye hae for your supper, my jollie young man?""I've gotten my supper:—mither, mak my bed sune,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.""What did ye get for your supper, Lord Donald, my son?What did ye get for your supper, my jollie young man?"10"A dish of sma' fishes:—mither, mak my bed sune,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.""Whare gat ye the fishes, Lord Donald, my son?Whare gat ye the fishes, my jollie young man?""In my father's black ditches:—mither, mak my bed sune,15For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.""What like were your fishes, Lord Donald, my son?What like were your fishes, my jollie young man?""Black backs and spreckl'd bellies:—mither, mak my bed sune,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun."20"O I fear ye are poison'd, Lord Donald, my son!O I fear ye are poison'd, my jollie young man!""O yes! I am poison'd:—mither mak my bed sune,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.""What will ye leave to your father, Lord Donald my son?25What will ye leave to your father, my jollie young man?""Baith my houses and land:—mither, mak my bed sune,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.""What will ye leave to your brither, Lord Donald, my son?What will ye leave to your brither, my jollie young man?"30"My horse and the saddle:—mither, mak my bed sune,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.""What will ye leave to your sister, Lord Donald, my son?What will ye leave to your sister, my jollie young man?""Baith my gold box and rings:—mither, mak my bed sune,35For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.""What will ye leave to your true-love, Lord Donald, my son?What will ye leave to your true-love, my jollie young man?""The tow and the halter, for to hang on yon tree,And lat her hang there for the poysoning o' me."40
"O whare hae ye been a' day, Lord Donald, my son?O whare hae ye been a' day, my jollie young man?""I've been awa courtin':—mither, mak my bed sune,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun."
"What wad ye hae for your supper, Lord Donald, my son?5What wad ye hae for your supper, my jollie young man?""I've gotten my supper:—mither, mak my bed sune,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun."
"What did ye get for your supper, Lord Donald, my son?What did ye get for your supper, my jollie young man?"10"A dish of sma' fishes:—mither, mak my bed sune,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun."
"Whare gat ye the fishes, Lord Donald, my son?Whare gat ye the fishes, my jollie young man?""In my father's black ditches:—mither, mak my bed sune,15For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun."
"What like were your fishes, Lord Donald, my son?What like were your fishes, my jollie young man?""Black backs and spreckl'd bellies:—mither, mak my bed sune,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun."20
"O I fear ye are poison'd, Lord Donald, my son!O I fear ye are poison'd, my jollie young man!""O yes! I am poison'd:—mither mak my bed sune,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun."
"What will ye leave to your father, Lord Donald my son?25What will ye leave to your father, my jollie young man?""Baith my houses and land:—mither, mak my bed sune,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun."
"What will ye leave to your brither, Lord Donald, my son?What will ye leave to your brither, my jollie young man?"30"My horse and the saddle:—mither, mak my bed sune,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun."
"What will ye leave to your sister, Lord Donald, my son?What will ye leave to your sister, my jollie young man?""Baith my gold box and rings:—mither, mak my bed sune,35For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun."
"What will ye leave to your true-love, Lord Donald, my son?What will ye leave to your true-love, my jollie young man?""The tow and the halter, for to hang on yon tree,And lat her hang there for the poysoning o' me."40
FromMinstrelsy of the Scottish Border, (iii. 49.)
Scott changed the name of the hero of this piece fromLord RonaldtoLord Randal, on the authority of a single copy. The change is unimportant, but the reason will appear curious, if we remember that the Swedes and Germans have the ballad as well as the Scotch;—"because, though the circumstances are so very different, I think it not impossible, that the ballad may have originally regarded the death of Thomas Randolph, or Randal, Earl of Murray, nephew to Robert Bruce, and governor of Scotland."
"O where hae ye been Lord Randal, my son?O where hae ye been, my handsome young man?"—"I hae been to the wild wood; mother make my bed soon,For I'm weary wi' hunting, and fain wald lie down."—"Where gat ye your dinner, Lord Randal, my son?5Where gat ye your dinner, my handsome young man?""I dined wi' my true-love; mother, make my bed soon,For I'm weary wi' hunting, and fain wald lie down."—"What gat ye to your dinner, Lord Randal, my son?What gat ye to your dinner, my handsome young man?"—10"I gat eels boil'd in broo; mother, make my bed soon,For I'm weary wi' hunting, and fain wald lie down."—"What became of your bloodhounds, Lord Randal, my son?What became of your bloodhounds, my handsome young man?"—"O they swell'd and they died; mother, make my bed soon,15For I'm weary wi' hunting, and fain wald lie down."—"O I fear ye are poison'd, Lord Randal, my son!O I fear ye are poisoned, my handsome young man!"—"O yes! I am poison'd; mother, make my bed soon,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie down."20
"O where hae ye been Lord Randal, my son?O where hae ye been, my handsome young man?"—"I hae been to the wild wood; mother make my bed soon,For I'm weary wi' hunting, and fain wald lie down."—
"Where gat ye your dinner, Lord Randal, my son?5Where gat ye your dinner, my handsome young man?""I dined wi' my true-love; mother, make my bed soon,For I'm weary wi' hunting, and fain wald lie down."—
"What gat ye to your dinner, Lord Randal, my son?What gat ye to your dinner, my handsome young man?"—10"I gat eels boil'd in broo; mother, make my bed soon,For I'm weary wi' hunting, and fain wald lie down."—
"What became of your bloodhounds, Lord Randal, my son?What became of your bloodhounds, my handsome young man?"—"O they swell'd and they died; mother, make my bed soon,15For I'm weary wi' hunting, and fain wald lie down."—
"O I fear ye are poison'd, Lord Randal, my son!O I fear ye are poisoned, my handsome young man!"—"O yes! I am poison'd; mother, make my bed soon,For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie down."20
Of this ballad, which is still commonly recited and sung in Scotland, four copies have been published. The following is from Jamieson's collection, i. 66, where it was printedverbatimafter the recitation of Mrs. Arrott. A copy from Aytoun's collection is subjoined, which is nearly the same as a less perfect one in Herd, i. 149, and the fourth, from Gilbert'sAncient Christmas Carols, &c., is in the Appendix to this volume.
The conclusion, or testamentary part, occurs very frequently in ballads, e. g.Den lillas Testamente,Svenska Folk-Visor, No. 68, translated in the Appendix to this volume, the end ofDen onde Svigermoder, Danske Viser, i. 261, translated inIllustrations of Northern Antiquities, p. 344,Möen paa Baalet, Grundtvig, No. 109, A, st. 18-21, andKong Valdemar og hans Söster, Grundtvig, No. 126, A, st. 101-105. See alsoEdward, andLord Donald, p. 225, p. 244.
There was three ladies play'd at the ba',With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;There came a knight, and play'd o'er them a',As the primrose spreads so sweetly.The eldest was baith tall and fair,5With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;But the youngest was beyond compare,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.The midmost had a gracefu' mien,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;10But the youngest look'd like beauty's queen,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.The knight bow'd low to a' the three,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;But to the youngest he bent his knee,15As the primrose spreads so sweetly.The lady turned her head aside,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;The knight he woo'd her to be his bride,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.20The lady blush'd a rosy red,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;And said, "Sir knight, I'm o'er young to wed,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly."O lady fair, give me your hand,25With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;And I'll mak you ladie of a' my land,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly."Sir knight, ere you my favor win,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;30Ye maun get consent frae a' my kin,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly.He has got consent fra her parents dear,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;And likewise frae her sisters fair,35As the primrose spreads so sweetly.He has got consent frae her kin each one,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;But forgot to speer at her brother John,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.40Now, when the wedding day was come,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;The knight would take his bonny bride home,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.And many a lord and many a knight,45With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;Came to behold that lady bright,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.And there was nae man that did her see,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay,50But wished himself bridegroom to be,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.Her father dear led her down the stair,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;And her sisters twain they kiss'd her there,55As the primrose spreads so sweetly.Her mother dear led her through the close,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;And her brother John set her on her horse,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.60She lean'd her o'er the saddle-bow,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay,To give him a kiss ere she did go,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.He has ta'en a knife, baith lang and sharp,65With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay,And stabb'd the bonny bride to the heart,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.She hadna ridden half thro' the town,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay,70Until her heart's blood stained her gown,As the primrose spreads so sweetly."Ride saftly on," said the best young man,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;"For I think our bonny bride looks pale and wan,"75As the primrose spreads so sweetly."O lead me gently up yon hill,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay,And I'll there sit down, and make my will,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly.80"O what will you leave to your father dear?"With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;"The silver-shod steed that brought me here,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly."What will you leave to your mother dear?"85With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;"My velvet pall and silken gear,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly."And what will ye leave to your sister Ann?"With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;90"My silken scarf, and my golden fan,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly."What will ye leave to your sister Grace?"With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;"My bloody cloaths to wash and dress,"95As the primrose spreads so sweetly."What will ye leave to your brother John?"With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;"The gallows-tree to hang him on,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly.100"What will ye leave to your brother John's wife?"With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;"The wilderness to end her life,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly.This fair lady in her grave was laid,105With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;And a mass was o'er her said,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.But it would have made your heart right sair,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;110To see the bridegroom rive his hair,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
There was three ladies play'd at the ba',With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;There came a knight, and play'd o'er them a',As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
The eldest was baith tall and fair,5With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;But the youngest was beyond compare,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
The midmost had a gracefu' mien,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;10But the youngest look'd like beauty's queen,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
The knight bow'd low to a' the three,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;But to the youngest he bent his knee,15As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
The lady turned her head aside,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;The knight he woo'd her to be his bride,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.20
The lady blush'd a rosy red,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;And said, "Sir knight, I'm o'er young to wed,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
"O lady fair, give me your hand,25With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;And I'll mak you ladie of a' my land,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
"Sir knight, ere you my favor win,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;30Ye maun get consent frae a' my kin,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
He has got consent fra her parents dear,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;And likewise frae her sisters fair,35As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
He has got consent frae her kin each one,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;But forgot to speer at her brother John,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.40
Now, when the wedding day was come,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;The knight would take his bonny bride home,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
And many a lord and many a knight,45With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;Came to behold that lady bright,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
And there was nae man that did her see,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay,50But wished himself bridegroom to be,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
Her father dear led her down the stair,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;And her sisters twain they kiss'd her there,55As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
Her mother dear led her through the close,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;And her brother John set her on her horse,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.60
She lean'd her o'er the saddle-bow,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay,To give him a kiss ere she did go,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
He has ta'en a knife, baith lang and sharp,65With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay,And stabb'd the bonny bride to the heart,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
She hadna ridden half thro' the town,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay,70Until her heart's blood stained her gown,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
"Ride saftly on," said the best young man,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;"For I think our bonny bride looks pale and wan,"75As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
"O lead me gently up yon hill,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay,And I'll there sit down, and make my will,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly.80
"O what will you leave to your father dear?"With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;"The silver-shod steed that brought me here,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
"What will you leave to your mother dear?"85With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;"My velvet pall and silken gear,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
"And what will ye leave to your sister Ann?"With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;90"My silken scarf, and my golden fan,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
"What will ye leave to your sister Grace?"With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;"My bloody cloaths to wash and dress,"95As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
"What will ye leave to your brother John?"With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;"The gallows-tree to hang him on,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly.100
"What will ye leave to your brother John's wife?"With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;"The wilderness to end her life,"As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
This fair lady in her grave was laid,105With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;And a mass was o'er her said,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
But it would have made your heart right sair,With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;110To see the bridegroom rive his hair,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
From Aytoun'sBallads of Scotland(2d ed.), i. 232, "taken down from recitation." Found also, but with several stanzas wanting, in Herd'sScottish Songs, i. 149. The title in both collections isFine Flowers i' the Valley. This part of the refrain is found in one of the versions of theCruel Mother, p. 269. To Herd's copy are annexed two fragmentary stanzas with nearly the same burden as that of the foregoing ballad.
She louted down to gie a kiss,With a hey and a lily gay;He stuck his penknife in her hass,And the rose it smells so sweetly."Ride up, ride up," cry'd the foremost man,With a hey and a lily gay;"I think our bride looks pale and wan,"And the rose it smells so sweetly.
She louted down to gie a kiss,With a hey and a lily gay;He stuck his penknife in her hass,And the rose it smells so sweetly.
"Ride up, ride up," cry'd the foremost man,With a hey and a lily gay;"I think our bride looks pale and wan,"And the rose it smells so sweetly.
There were three sisters in a ha',Fine flowers i' the valley,There came three lords amang them a',The red, green, and the yellow.The first o' them was clad in red,5Fine flowers i' the valley;"O lady, will ye be my bride?"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.The second o' them was clad in green,Fine flowers i' the valley;10"O lady, will ye be my queen?"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.The third o' them was clad in yellow,Fine flowers i' the valley;"O lady, will ye be my marrow?"15Wi' the red, green, and the yellow."O ye maun ask my father dear,"Fine flowers i' the valley,"Likewise the mother that did me bear,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.20"And ye maun ask my sister Ann,"Fine flowers i' the valley;"And not forget my brother John,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow."O I have asked thy father dear,"25Fine flowers i' the valley,"Likewise the mother that did thee bear,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow."And I have asked your sister Ann,"Fine flowers i' the valley;30"But I forgot your brother John;"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.Now when the wedding-day was come,Fine flowers i' the valley,The knight would take his bonny bride home,35Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.And mony a lord, and mony a knight,Fine flowers i' the valley,Cam to behold that lady bright,Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.40There was nae man that did her see,Fine flowers i' the valley,But wished himsell bridegroom to be,Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.Her father led her down the stair,45Fine flowers i' the valley,And her sisters twain they kissed her there,Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.Her mother led her through the close,Fine flowers i' the valley;50Her brother John set her on her horse,Wi' the red, green, and the yellow."You are high and I am low,"Fine flowers i' the valley;"Give me a kiss before you go,"55Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.She was louting down to kiss him sweet,Fine flowers i' the valley;When wi' his knife he wounded her deep,Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.60She hadna ridden through half the town,Fine flowers i' the valley,Until her heart's blood stained her gown,Wi' the red, green, and the yellow."Ride saftly on," said the best young man,65Fine flowers i' the valley;"I think our bride looks pale and wan!"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow."O lead me over into yon stile,"Fine flowers i' the valley,70"That I may stop and breathe awhile,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow."O lead me over into yon stair,"Fine flowers i' the valley,"For there I'll lie and bleed nae mair,"75Wi' the red, green, and the yellow."O what will you leave to your father dear?"Fine flowers i' the valley;"The siller-shod steed that brought me here,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.80"What will you leave to your mother dear?"Fine flowers i' the valley;"My velvet pall, and my pearlin' gear,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow."What will you leave to your sister Ann?"85Fine flowers i' the valley;"My silken gown that stands its lane,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow."What will you leave to your sister Grace?"Fine flowers i' the valley;90"My bluidy shirt to wash and dress,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow."What will you leave to your brother John?"Fine flowers i' the valley;"The gates o' hell to let him in,"95Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
There were three sisters in a ha',Fine flowers i' the valley,There came three lords amang them a',The red, green, and the yellow.
The first o' them was clad in red,5Fine flowers i' the valley;"O lady, will ye be my bride?"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
The second o' them was clad in green,Fine flowers i' the valley;10"O lady, will ye be my queen?"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
The third o' them was clad in yellow,Fine flowers i' the valley;"O lady, will ye be my marrow?"15Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
"O ye maun ask my father dear,"Fine flowers i' the valley,"Likewise the mother that did me bear,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.20
"And ye maun ask my sister Ann,"Fine flowers i' the valley;"And not forget my brother John,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
"O I have asked thy father dear,"25Fine flowers i' the valley,"Likewise the mother that did thee bear,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
"And I have asked your sister Ann,"Fine flowers i' the valley;30"But I forgot your brother John;"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
Now when the wedding-day was come,Fine flowers i' the valley,The knight would take his bonny bride home,35Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
And mony a lord, and mony a knight,Fine flowers i' the valley,Cam to behold that lady bright,Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.40
There was nae man that did her see,Fine flowers i' the valley,But wished himsell bridegroom to be,Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
Her father led her down the stair,45Fine flowers i' the valley,And her sisters twain they kissed her there,Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
Her mother led her through the close,Fine flowers i' the valley;50Her brother John set her on her horse,Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
"You are high and I am low,"Fine flowers i' the valley;"Give me a kiss before you go,"55Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
She was louting down to kiss him sweet,Fine flowers i' the valley;When wi' his knife he wounded her deep,Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.60
She hadna ridden through half the town,Fine flowers i' the valley,Until her heart's blood stained her gown,Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
"Ride saftly on," said the best young man,65Fine flowers i' the valley;"I think our bride looks pale and wan!"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
"O lead me over into yon stile,"Fine flowers i' the valley,70"That I may stop and breathe awhile,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
"O lead me over into yon stair,"Fine flowers i' the valley,"For there I'll lie and bleed nae mair,"75Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
"O what will you leave to your father dear?"Fine flowers i' the valley;"The siller-shod steed that brought me here,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.80
"What will you leave to your mother dear?"Fine flowers i' the valley;"My velvet pall, and my pearlin' gear,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
"What will you leave to your sister Ann?"85Fine flowers i' the valley;"My silken gown that stands its lane,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
"What will you leave to your sister Grace?"Fine flowers i' the valley;90"My bluidy shirt to wash and dress,"Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
"What will you leave to your brother John?"Fine flowers i' the valley;"The gates o' hell to let him in,"95Wi' the red, green, and the yellow.
FromMinstrelsy of the Scottish Border, iii. 18.
"This ballad was communicated to me by Mr. Kirkpatrick Sharpe of Hoddom, who mentions having copied it from an old magazine. Although it has probably received some modern corrections, the general turn seems to be ancient, and corresponds with that of a fragment which I have often heard sung in my childhood."
The version to which Sir Walter Scott refers, and part of which he proceeds to quote, had been printed in Johnson'sMuseum. It is placed immediately after the present, with other copies of the ballad from Motherwell and Kinloch.
In Buchan'sBallads of the North of Scotlandthere are two more, which are repeated with slight variations in the XVII. Vol. of the Percy Society, p. 46, p. 50. Both will be found in the Appendix. The copy in Buchan'sGleanings, p. 90, seems to be taken from Scott. Smith'sScottish Minstrel, iv. 33, affords still another variety.
In German,Die Kindesmörderin, Erk'sLiederhort, No. 41, five copies; Erlach, iv. 148; Hoffmann,Schlesische V. L., No. 31, 32;Wunderhorn, ii. 202; Zuccalmaglio, No. 97; Meinert, No. 81; Simrock, p. 87. (But some of these are repetitions.) Wendish, Haupt and Schmaler, I. No. 292, and with considerable differences, I. No. 290, II. 197. This last reference is taken from Grundtvig, ii. 531.