SONG OF THE OUTLAW MURRAY
Ettrick Forestis a fair forest,In it grows many a seemly tree;There’s hart and hind, and dae and rae,And of a’ wild beasts great plentie.There’s a fair Castle, bigged wi’ lime and stane;O gin it stands not pleasantlie!In the fore front o’ that Castle fair,Twa unicorns are bra’ to see;There’s the picture of a Knight and a Lady bright,And the green hollin abune their bree.There an Outlaw keeps five hundred men,He keeps a royal company;His merrymen a’ in ae livery clad,O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see;He and his Lady in purple clad,O gin they live not royallie!Word is gane to our noble King,In Edinburgh where that he lay,That there was an Outlaw in Ettrick Forest,Counted him nought, nor a’ his courtrie gay.“I make a vow,” then the gude King said,“Unto the Man that dear bought me,I’se either be King of Ettrick Forest,Or King of Scotland that Outlaw sall be!”Then spake the Lord hight Hamilton,And to the noble King said he,“My sovereign Prince, some counsel take,First at your nobles, syne at me.“I rede ye, send yon braw Outlaw till,And see gif your man come will he:Desire him come and be your man,And hold of you yon forest free.“Gif he refuses to do that,We’ll conquer baith his lands and he!Or else we’ll throw his Castle down,And mak’ a widow o’ his gay Ladye.”The King then called a gentleman,James Boyd (the Earl of Arran’s brother was he);When James he came before the King,He kneeled before him on his knee.“Welcome, James Boyd!” said our noble King,“A message ye maun gang for me;Ye maun hie to Ettrick Forest,To yon Outlaw, where bideth he.“Ask him of whom he holds his lands,Or man wha may his master be,And desire him come and be my man,And hold of me yon forest free.“To Edinburgh to come and gang,His safe warrant I sall gie;And gif he refuses to do that,We’ll conquer baith his lands and he.“Thou mayst vow I’ll cast his Castle down,And mak’ a widow o’ his gay Ladye;I’ll hang his merrymen, pair by pair,In ony frith where I may them see.”
Ettrick Forestis a fair forest,In it grows many a seemly tree;There’s hart and hind, and dae and rae,And of a’ wild beasts great plentie.There’s a fair Castle, bigged wi’ lime and stane;O gin it stands not pleasantlie!In the fore front o’ that Castle fair,Twa unicorns are bra’ to see;There’s the picture of a Knight and a Lady bright,And the green hollin abune their bree.There an Outlaw keeps five hundred men,He keeps a royal company;His merrymen a’ in ae livery clad,O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see;He and his Lady in purple clad,O gin they live not royallie!Word is gane to our noble King,In Edinburgh where that he lay,That there was an Outlaw in Ettrick Forest,Counted him nought, nor a’ his courtrie gay.“I make a vow,” then the gude King said,“Unto the Man that dear bought me,I’se either be King of Ettrick Forest,Or King of Scotland that Outlaw sall be!”Then spake the Lord hight Hamilton,And to the noble King said he,“My sovereign Prince, some counsel take,First at your nobles, syne at me.“I rede ye, send yon braw Outlaw till,And see gif your man come will he:Desire him come and be your man,And hold of you yon forest free.“Gif he refuses to do that,We’ll conquer baith his lands and he!Or else we’ll throw his Castle down,And mak’ a widow o’ his gay Ladye.”The King then called a gentleman,James Boyd (the Earl of Arran’s brother was he);When James he came before the King,He kneeled before him on his knee.“Welcome, James Boyd!” said our noble King,“A message ye maun gang for me;Ye maun hie to Ettrick Forest,To yon Outlaw, where bideth he.“Ask him of whom he holds his lands,Or man wha may his master be,And desire him come and be my man,And hold of me yon forest free.“To Edinburgh to come and gang,His safe warrant I sall gie;And gif he refuses to do that,We’ll conquer baith his lands and he.“Thou mayst vow I’ll cast his Castle down,And mak’ a widow o’ his gay Ladye;I’ll hang his merrymen, pair by pair,In ony frith where I may them see.”
Ettrick Forestis a fair forest,In it grows many a seemly tree;There’s hart and hind, and dae and rae,And of a’ wild beasts great plentie.
Ettrick Forestis a fair forest,
In it grows many a seemly tree;
There’s hart and hind, and dae and rae,
And of a’ wild beasts great plentie.
There’s a fair Castle, bigged wi’ lime and stane;O gin it stands not pleasantlie!In the fore front o’ that Castle fair,Twa unicorns are bra’ to see;There’s the picture of a Knight and a Lady bright,And the green hollin abune their bree.
There’s a fair Castle, bigged wi’ lime and stane;
O gin it stands not pleasantlie!
In the fore front o’ that Castle fair,
Twa unicorns are bra’ to see;
There’s the picture of a Knight and a Lady bright,
And the green hollin abune their bree.
There an Outlaw keeps five hundred men,He keeps a royal company;His merrymen a’ in ae livery clad,O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see;He and his Lady in purple clad,O gin they live not royallie!
There an Outlaw keeps five hundred men,
He keeps a royal company;
His merrymen a’ in ae livery clad,
O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see;
He and his Lady in purple clad,
O gin they live not royallie!
Word is gane to our noble King,In Edinburgh where that he lay,That there was an Outlaw in Ettrick Forest,Counted him nought, nor a’ his courtrie gay.
Word is gane to our noble King,
In Edinburgh where that he lay,
That there was an Outlaw in Ettrick Forest,
Counted him nought, nor a’ his courtrie gay.
“I make a vow,” then the gude King said,“Unto the Man that dear bought me,I’se either be King of Ettrick Forest,Or King of Scotland that Outlaw sall be!”
“I make a vow,” then the gude King said,
“Unto the Man that dear bought me,
I’se either be King of Ettrick Forest,
Or King of Scotland that Outlaw sall be!”
Then spake the Lord hight Hamilton,And to the noble King said he,“My sovereign Prince, some counsel take,First at your nobles, syne at me.
Then spake the Lord hight Hamilton,
And to the noble King said he,
“My sovereign Prince, some counsel take,
First at your nobles, syne at me.
“I rede ye, send yon braw Outlaw till,And see gif your man come will he:Desire him come and be your man,And hold of you yon forest free.
“I rede ye, send yon braw Outlaw till,
And see gif your man come will he:
Desire him come and be your man,
And hold of you yon forest free.
“Gif he refuses to do that,We’ll conquer baith his lands and he!Or else we’ll throw his Castle down,And mak’ a widow o’ his gay Ladye.”
“Gif he refuses to do that,
We’ll conquer baith his lands and he!
Or else we’ll throw his Castle down,
And mak’ a widow o’ his gay Ladye.”
The King then called a gentleman,James Boyd (the Earl of Arran’s brother was he);When James he came before the King,He kneeled before him on his knee.
The King then called a gentleman,
James Boyd (the Earl of Arran’s brother was he);
When James he came before the King,
He kneeled before him on his knee.
“Welcome, James Boyd!” said our noble King,“A message ye maun gang for me;Ye maun hie to Ettrick Forest,To yon Outlaw, where bideth he.
“Welcome, James Boyd!” said our noble King,
“A message ye maun gang for me;
Ye maun hie to Ettrick Forest,
To yon Outlaw, where bideth he.
“Ask him of whom he holds his lands,Or man wha may his master be,And desire him come and be my man,And hold of me yon forest free.
“Ask him of whom he holds his lands,
Or man wha may his master be,
And desire him come and be my man,
And hold of me yon forest free.
“To Edinburgh to come and gang,His safe warrant I sall gie;And gif he refuses to do that,We’ll conquer baith his lands and he.
“To Edinburgh to come and gang,
His safe warrant I sall gie;
And gif he refuses to do that,
We’ll conquer baith his lands and he.
“Thou mayst vow I’ll cast his Castle down,And mak’ a widow o’ his gay Ladye;I’ll hang his merrymen, pair by pair,In ony frith where I may them see.”
“Thou mayst vow I’ll cast his Castle down,
And mak’ a widow o’ his gay Ladye;
I’ll hang his merrymen, pair by pair,
In ony frith where I may them see.”
James Boydtook his leave o’ the noble King,To Ettrick Forest fair cam’ he;Down Birkendale Brae when that he cam’,He saw the fair forest wi’ his ee.Baith dae and rae, and hart and hind,And of a’ wild beasts great plentie;He heard the bows that boldly ring,And arrows whidderan’ him near by.Of that great Castle he got a sight;The like he ne’er saw wi’ his ee!On the fore front o’ that Castle fair,Twa unicorns were bra’ to see;The picture of a Knight, and Lady bright,And the green hollin abune their bree.Thereat he spyed five hundred men,Shooting with bows on Newark Lee;They were a’ in ae livery clad,O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see.His men were a’ clad in the green,The Knight was armed capapie,With a bended bow, on a milk-white steed;And I wot they ranked right bonnilie.Thereby Boyd kend he was master man,And served him in his ain degree.“God mote thee save, brave Outlaw Murray!Thy Ladye, and all thy chivalrie!”“Marry, thou’s welcome, gentleman,Some King’s messenger thou seems to be.”“The King of Scotland sent me here,And, gude Outlaw, I am sent to thee;I wad wot of whom ye hold your lands,Or man wha may thy master be?”“Thir lands are mine,” the Outlaw said;“I ken nae King in Christentie;Frae Soudron I this forest wan,When the King nor his Knights were not to see.”“He desires you’ll come to Edinburgh,And hauld of him this forest free;And, gif ye refuse to do this thing,He’ll conquer baith thy lands and thee.He hath vowed to cast thy Castle down,And mak’ a widow o’ thy gay Ladye;“He’ll hang thy merrymen, pair by pair,In ony frith where he may them find.”“Ay, by my troth!” the Outlaw said,“Than wauld I think me far behind.“Ere the King my fair country get,This land that’s nativest to me,Mony o’ his nobles sall be cauld;Their ladies sall be right wearie.”Then spak’ his Lady, fair of face:She said, “’T were without consent of me,That an outlaw suld come before a King;I am right rad of treasonrie.Bid him be gude to his lords at hame,For Edinburgh my Lord sall never see.”
James Boydtook his leave o’ the noble King,To Ettrick Forest fair cam’ he;Down Birkendale Brae when that he cam’,He saw the fair forest wi’ his ee.Baith dae and rae, and hart and hind,And of a’ wild beasts great plentie;He heard the bows that boldly ring,And arrows whidderan’ him near by.Of that great Castle he got a sight;The like he ne’er saw wi’ his ee!On the fore front o’ that Castle fair,Twa unicorns were bra’ to see;The picture of a Knight, and Lady bright,And the green hollin abune their bree.Thereat he spyed five hundred men,Shooting with bows on Newark Lee;They were a’ in ae livery clad,O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see.His men were a’ clad in the green,The Knight was armed capapie,With a bended bow, on a milk-white steed;And I wot they ranked right bonnilie.Thereby Boyd kend he was master man,And served him in his ain degree.“God mote thee save, brave Outlaw Murray!Thy Ladye, and all thy chivalrie!”“Marry, thou’s welcome, gentleman,Some King’s messenger thou seems to be.”“The King of Scotland sent me here,And, gude Outlaw, I am sent to thee;I wad wot of whom ye hold your lands,Or man wha may thy master be?”“Thir lands are mine,” the Outlaw said;“I ken nae King in Christentie;Frae Soudron I this forest wan,When the King nor his Knights were not to see.”“He desires you’ll come to Edinburgh,And hauld of him this forest free;And, gif ye refuse to do this thing,He’ll conquer baith thy lands and thee.He hath vowed to cast thy Castle down,And mak’ a widow o’ thy gay Ladye;“He’ll hang thy merrymen, pair by pair,In ony frith where he may them find.”“Ay, by my troth!” the Outlaw said,“Than wauld I think me far behind.“Ere the King my fair country get,This land that’s nativest to me,Mony o’ his nobles sall be cauld;Their ladies sall be right wearie.”Then spak’ his Lady, fair of face:She said, “’T were without consent of me,That an outlaw suld come before a King;I am right rad of treasonrie.Bid him be gude to his lords at hame,For Edinburgh my Lord sall never see.”
James Boydtook his leave o’ the noble King,To Ettrick Forest fair cam’ he;Down Birkendale Brae when that he cam’,He saw the fair forest wi’ his ee.
James Boydtook his leave o’ the noble King,
To Ettrick Forest fair cam’ he;
Down Birkendale Brae when that he cam’,
He saw the fair forest wi’ his ee.
Baith dae and rae, and hart and hind,And of a’ wild beasts great plentie;He heard the bows that boldly ring,And arrows whidderan’ him near by.
Baith dae and rae, and hart and hind,
And of a’ wild beasts great plentie;
He heard the bows that boldly ring,
And arrows whidderan’ him near by.
Of that great Castle he got a sight;The like he ne’er saw wi’ his ee!On the fore front o’ that Castle fair,Twa unicorns were bra’ to see;The picture of a Knight, and Lady bright,And the green hollin abune their bree.
Of that great Castle he got a sight;
The like he ne’er saw wi’ his ee!
On the fore front o’ that Castle fair,
Twa unicorns were bra’ to see;
The picture of a Knight, and Lady bright,
And the green hollin abune their bree.
Thereat he spyed five hundred men,Shooting with bows on Newark Lee;They were a’ in ae livery clad,O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see.
Thereat he spyed five hundred men,
Shooting with bows on Newark Lee;
They were a’ in ae livery clad,
O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see.
His men were a’ clad in the green,The Knight was armed capapie,With a bended bow, on a milk-white steed;And I wot they ranked right bonnilie.
His men were a’ clad in the green,
The Knight was armed capapie,
With a bended bow, on a milk-white steed;
And I wot they ranked right bonnilie.
Thereby Boyd kend he was master man,And served him in his ain degree.“God mote thee save, brave Outlaw Murray!Thy Ladye, and all thy chivalrie!”“Marry, thou’s welcome, gentleman,Some King’s messenger thou seems to be.”
Thereby Boyd kend he was master man,
And served him in his ain degree.
“God mote thee save, brave Outlaw Murray!
Thy Ladye, and all thy chivalrie!”
“Marry, thou’s welcome, gentleman,
Some King’s messenger thou seems to be.”
“The King of Scotland sent me here,And, gude Outlaw, I am sent to thee;I wad wot of whom ye hold your lands,Or man wha may thy master be?”
“The King of Scotland sent me here,
And, gude Outlaw, I am sent to thee;
I wad wot of whom ye hold your lands,
Or man wha may thy master be?”
“Thir lands are mine,” the Outlaw said;“I ken nae King in Christentie;Frae Soudron I this forest wan,When the King nor his Knights were not to see.”
“Thir lands are mine,” the Outlaw said;
“I ken nae King in Christentie;
Frae Soudron I this forest wan,
When the King nor his Knights were not to see.”
“He desires you’ll come to Edinburgh,And hauld of him this forest free;And, gif ye refuse to do this thing,He’ll conquer baith thy lands and thee.He hath vowed to cast thy Castle down,And mak’ a widow o’ thy gay Ladye;
“He desires you’ll come to Edinburgh,
And hauld of him this forest free;
And, gif ye refuse to do this thing,
He’ll conquer baith thy lands and thee.
He hath vowed to cast thy Castle down,
And mak’ a widow o’ thy gay Ladye;
“He’ll hang thy merrymen, pair by pair,In ony frith where he may them find.”“Ay, by my troth!” the Outlaw said,“Than wauld I think me far behind.
“He’ll hang thy merrymen, pair by pair,
In ony frith where he may them find.”
“Ay, by my troth!” the Outlaw said,
“Than wauld I think me far behind.
“Ere the King my fair country get,This land that’s nativest to me,Mony o’ his nobles sall be cauld;Their ladies sall be right wearie.”
“Ere the King my fair country get,
This land that’s nativest to me,
Mony o’ his nobles sall be cauld;
Their ladies sall be right wearie.”
Then spak’ his Lady, fair of face:She said, “’T were without consent of me,That an outlaw suld come before a King;I am right rad of treasonrie.Bid him be gude to his lords at hame,For Edinburgh my Lord sall never see.”
Then spak’ his Lady, fair of face:
She said, “’T were without consent of me,
That an outlaw suld come before a King;
I am right rad of treasonrie.
Bid him be gude to his lords at hame,
For Edinburgh my Lord sall never see.”
James Boydtook his leave o’ the Outlaw keen,To Edinburgh boun’ is he;When James he cam’ before the King,He kneeled lowly on his knee.“Welcome, James Boyd!” said our noble King,“What forest is Ettrick Forest free?”“Ettrick Forest is the fairest forestThat ever man saw wi’ his ee.“There’s the dae, the rae, the hart, the hind,And of a’ wild beasts great plentie;There’s a pretty Castle of lime and stane,Oh! gin it stands not pleasantlie!“There’s in the fore front o’ that CastleTwa unicorns, sae bra’ to see;There’s the picture of a Knight, and a Lady brightWi’ the green hollin abune their bree.“There the Outlaw keeps five hundred men,He keeps a royal companie;His merrymen in ae livery clad,O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see:He and his Lady in purple clad;Oh! gin they live right royallie!“He says, yon forest is his awn;He wan it frae the Southronie;Sae as he wan it, sae will he keep it,Contrair all Kings in Christentie.”“Gar warn me Perthshire, and Angus baith,Fife, up and down, and Lothians three,And graith my horse!” said our noble King,“For to Ettrick Forest hie will I me.”Then word is gane the Outlaw till,In Ettrick Forest, where dwelleth he,That the King was coming to his countrie,To conquer baith his lands and he.“I mak’ a vow,” the Outlaw said,“I mak’ a vow, and that trulie:Were there but three men to tak’ my part,Yon King’s coming full dear suld be!”Then messengers he called forth,And bade them hie them speedilye:“Ane of ye gae to Halliday,The Laird of the Corehead is he.“He certain is my sister’s son;Bid him come quick and succor me;The King comes on for Ettrick Forest,And landless men we a’ will be.”“What news? what news?” said Halliday,“Man, frae thy master unto me?”“Not as ye would, seeking your aid;The King’s his mortal enemie.”“Ay, by my troth!” said Halliday,“Even for that it repenteth me;For gif he lose fair Ettrick Forest,He’ll tak’ fair Moffatdale frae me.“I’ll meet him wi’ five hundred men,And surely mair, if mae may be;And before he gets the forest fair,We a’ will die on Newark Lee!”The Outlaw called a messenger,And bid him hie him speedilyeTo Andrew Murray of Cockpool:“That man’s a dear cousin to me;Desire him come and mak’ me aidWith a’ the power that he may be.”“It stands me hard,” Andrew Murray said,“Judge gif it stand na hard wi’ me;To enter against a King wi’ crown,And set my lands in jeopardie!Yet, if I come not on the day,Surely at night he sall me see.”To Sir James Murray of Traquair,A message came right speedilye:“What news? what news?” James Murray said,“Man, frae thy master unto me?”“What needs I tell? for weel ye kenThe King’s his mortal enemie;And now he is coming to Ettrick Forest,And landless men ye a’ will be.”“And, by my troth,” James Murray said,“Wi’ that Outlaw will I live and dee;The King has gifted my lands lang syne,—It cannot be nae warse wi’ me.”
James Boydtook his leave o’ the Outlaw keen,To Edinburgh boun’ is he;When James he cam’ before the King,He kneeled lowly on his knee.“Welcome, James Boyd!” said our noble King,“What forest is Ettrick Forest free?”“Ettrick Forest is the fairest forestThat ever man saw wi’ his ee.“There’s the dae, the rae, the hart, the hind,And of a’ wild beasts great plentie;There’s a pretty Castle of lime and stane,Oh! gin it stands not pleasantlie!“There’s in the fore front o’ that CastleTwa unicorns, sae bra’ to see;There’s the picture of a Knight, and a Lady brightWi’ the green hollin abune their bree.“There the Outlaw keeps five hundred men,He keeps a royal companie;His merrymen in ae livery clad,O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see:He and his Lady in purple clad;Oh! gin they live right royallie!“He says, yon forest is his awn;He wan it frae the Southronie;Sae as he wan it, sae will he keep it,Contrair all Kings in Christentie.”“Gar warn me Perthshire, and Angus baith,Fife, up and down, and Lothians three,And graith my horse!” said our noble King,“For to Ettrick Forest hie will I me.”Then word is gane the Outlaw till,In Ettrick Forest, where dwelleth he,That the King was coming to his countrie,To conquer baith his lands and he.“I mak’ a vow,” the Outlaw said,“I mak’ a vow, and that trulie:Were there but three men to tak’ my part,Yon King’s coming full dear suld be!”Then messengers he called forth,And bade them hie them speedilye:“Ane of ye gae to Halliday,The Laird of the Corehead is he.“He certain is my sister’s son;Bid him come quick and succor me;The King comes on for Ettrick Forest,And landless men we a’ will be.”“What news? what news?” said Halliday,“Man, frae thy master unto me?”“Not as ye would, seeking your aid;The King’s his mortal enemie.”“Ay, by my troth!” said Halliday,“Even for that it repenteth me;For gif he lose fair Ettrick Forest,He’ll tak’ fair Moffatdale frae me.“I’ll meet him wi’ five hundred men,And surely mair, if mae may be;And before he gets the forest fair,We a’ will die on Newark Lee!”The Outlaw called a messenger,And bid him hie him speedilyeTo Andrew Murray of Cockpool:“That man’s a dear cousin to me;Desire him come and mak’ me aidWith a’ the power that he may be.”“It stands me hard,” Andrew Murray said,“Judge gif it stand na hard wi’ me;To enter against a King wi’ crown,And set my lands in jeopardie!Yet, if I come not on the day,Surely at night he sall me see.”To Sir James Murray of Traquair,A message came right speedilye:“What news? what news?” James Murray said,“Man, frae thy master unto me?”“What needs I tell? for weel ye kenThe King’s his mortal enemie;And now he is coming to Ettrick Forest,And landless men ye a’ will be.”“And, by my troth,” James Murray said,“Wi’ that Outlaw will I live and dee;The King has gifted my lands lang syne,—It cannot be nae warse wi’ me.”
James Boydtook his leave o’ the Outlaw keen,To Edinburgh boun’ is he;When James he cam’ before the King,He kneeled lowly on his knee.
James Boydtook his leave o’ the Outlaw keen,
To Edinburgh boun’ is he;
When James he cam’ before the King,
He kneeled lowly on his knee.
“Welcome, James Boyd!” said our noble King,“What forest is Ettrick Forest free?”“Ettrick Forest is the fairest forestThat ever man saw wi’ his ee.
“Welcome, James Boyd!” said our noble King,
“What forest is Ettrick Forest free?”
“Ettrick Forest is the fairest forest
That ever man saw wi’ his ee.
“There’s the dae, the rae, the hart, the hind,And of a’ wild beasts great plentie;There’s a pretty Castle of lime and stane,Oh! gin it stands not pleasantlie!
“There’s the dae, the rae, the hart, the hind,
And of a’ wild beasts great plentie;
There’s a pretty Castle of lime and stane,
Oh! gin it stands not pleasantlie!
“There’s in the fore front o’ that CastleTwa unicorns, sae bra’ to see;There’s the picture of a Knight, and a Lady brightWi’ the green hollin abune their bree.
“There’s in the fore front o’ that Castle
Twa unicorns, sae bra’ to see;
There’s the picture of a Knight, and a Lady bright
Wi’ the green hollin abune their bree.
“There the Outlaw keeps five hundred men,He keeps a royal companie;His merrymen in ae livery clad,O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see:He and his Lady in purple clad;Oh! gin they live right royallie!
“There the Outlaw keeps five hundred men,
He keeps a royal companie;
His merrymen in ae livery clad,
O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see:
He and his Lady in purple clad;
Oh! gin they live right royallie!
“He says, yon forest is his awn;He wan it frae the Southronie;Sae as he wan it, sae will he keep it,Contrair all Kings in Christentie.”
“He says, yon forest is his awn;
He wan it frae the Southronie;
Sae as he wan it, sae will he keep it,
Contrair all Kings in Christentie.”
“Gar warn me Perthshire, and Angus baith,Fife, up and down, and Lothians three,And graith my horse!” said our noble King,“For to Ettrick Forest hie will I me.”
“Gar warn me Perthshire, and Angus baith,
Fife, up and down, and Lothians three,
And graith my horse!” said our noble King,
“For to Ettrick Forest hie will I me.”
Then word is gane the Outlaw till,In Ettrick Forest, where dwelleth he,That the King was coming to his countrie,To conquer baith his lands and he.
Then word is gane the Outlaw till,
In Ettrick Forest, where dwelleth he,
That the King was coming to his countrie,
To conquer baith his lands and he.
“I mak’ a vow,” the Outlaw said,“I mak’ a vow, and that trulie:Were there but three men to tak’ my part,Yon King’s coming full dear suld be!”
“I mak’ a vow,” the Outlaw said,
“I mak’ a vow, and that trulie:
Were there but three men to tak’ my part,
Yon King’s coming full dear suld be!”
Then messengers he called forth,And bade them hie them speedilye:“Ane of ye gae to Halliday,The Laird of the Corehead is he.
Then messengers he called forth,
And bade them hie them speedilye:
“Ane of ye gae to Halliday,
The Laird of the Corehead is he.
“He certain is my sister’s son;Bid him come quick and succor me;The King comes on for Ettrick Forest,And landless men we a’ will be.”
“He certain is my sister’s son;
Bid him come quick and succor me;
The King comes on for Ettrick Forest,
And landless men we a’ will be.”
“What news? what news?” said Halliday,“Man, frae thy master unto me?”“Not as ye would, seeking your aid;The King’s his mortal enemie.”
“What news? what news?” said Halliday,
“Man, frae thy master unto me?”
“Not as ye would, seeking your aid;
The King’s his mortal enemie.”
“Ay, by my troth!” said Halliday,“Even for that it repenteth me;For gif he lose fair Ettrick Forest,He’ll tak’ fair Moffatdale frae me.
“Ay, by my troth!” said Halliday,
“Even for that it repenteth me;
For gif he lose fair Ettrick Forest,
He’ll tak’ fair Moffatdale frae me.
“I’ll meet him wi’ five hundred men,And surely mair, if mae may be;And before he gets the forest fair,We a’ will die on Newark Lee!”
“I’ll meet him wi’ five hundred men,
And surely mair, if mae may be;
And before he gets the forest fair,
We a’ will die on Newark Lee!”
The Outlaw called a messenger,And bid him hie him speedilyeTo Andrew Murray of Cockpool:“That man’s a dear cousin to me;Desire him come and mak’ me aidWith a’ the power that he may be.”
The Outlaw called a messenger,
And bid him hie him speedilye
To Andrew Murray of Cockpool:
“That man’s a dear cousin to me;
Desire him come and mak’ me aid
With a’ the power that he may be.”
“It stands me hard,” Andrew Murray said,“Judge gif it stand na hard wi’ me;To enter against a King wi’ crown,And set my lands in jeopardie!Yet, if I come not on the day,Surely at night he sall me see.”
“It stands me hard,” Andrew Murray said,
“Judge gif it stand na hard wi’ me;
To enter against a King wi’ crown,
And set my lands in jeopardie!
Yet, if I come not on the day,
Surely at night he sall me see.”
To Sir James Murray of Traquair,A message came right speedilye:“What news? what news?” James Murray said,“Man, frae thy master unto me?”
To Sir James Murray of Traquair,
A message came right speedilye:
“What news? what news?” James Murray said,
“Man, frae thy master unto me?”
“What needs I tell? for weel ye kenThe King’s his mortal enemie;And now he is coming to Ettrick Forest,And landless men ye a’ will be.”
“What needs I tell? for weel ye ken
The King’s his mortal enemie;
And now he is coming to Ettrick Forest,
And landless men ye a’ will be.”
“And, by my troth,” James Murray said,“Wi’ that Outlaw will I live and dee;The King has gifted my lands lang syne,—It cannot be nae warse wi’ me.”
“And, by my troth,” James Murray said,
“Wi’ that Outlaw will I live and dee;
The King has gifted my lands lang syne,—
It cannot be nae warse wi’ me.”
TheKing was coming thro’ Caddon Ford,And full five thousand men was he;They saw the dark forest them before,They thought it awsome for to see.Then spak’ the Lord hight Hamilton,And to the noble King said he,“My sovereign Liege, some counsel tak’,First at your nobles, syne at me.“Desire him meet thee at Permanscore,And bring four in his companie;Five Earls sall gang yoursell before,Gude cause that you suld honoured be.“And, gif he refuses to do that,We’ll conquer baith his lands and he;There sall never a Murray, after him,Hold land in Ettrick Forest free.”The King then called a gentleman,Royal banner-bearer there was he,James Hoppringle of Torsonse by name;He cam’ and kneeled upon his knee.“Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse!A message ye maun gang for me:Ye maun gae to yon Outlaw Murray,Surely where boldly bideth he.“Bid him meet me at Permanscore,And bring four in his companie;Five Earls sall come wi’ mysell,Gude reason I suld honoured be.“And gif he refuses to do that,Bid him look for nae good o’ me;There sall never a Murray, after him,Have land in Ettrick Forest free.”James cam’ before the Outlaw keen,And served him in his ain degree:“Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse!What message frae the King to me?”“He bids ye meet him at Permanscore,And bring four in your company;Five Earls sall gang himsell before,Nae mair in number will he be.“And gif you refuse to do that,(I freely here upgive wi’ thee,)He’ll cast yon bonny Castle down,And mak’ a widow o’ that gay Ladye.“He’ll loose yon bloodhound Borderers,Wi’ fire and sword to follow thee;There will never a Murray, after thysell,Have land in Ettrick Forest free.”“It stands me hard,” the Outlaw said,“Judge gif it stands na hard wi’ me:What reck o’ the losing of mysell,But a’ my offspring after me!“Auld Halliday, young Halliday,Ye sall be twa to gang wi’ me;Andrew Murray and Sir James Murray,We’ll be nae mae in companie.”When that they cam’ before the King,They fell before him on their knee:“Grant mercy, mercy, noble King!E’en for His sake that dyed on tree.”“Sicken like mercy sall ye have,On gallows ye sall hangit be!”“Over God’s forbode,” quoth the Outlaw then,“I hope your Grace will better be!Else, ere you come to Edinburgh port,I trow thin guarded sall ye be.“Thir lands of Ettrick Forest fair,I wan them from the enemie;Like as I wan them, sae will I keep them,Contrair a’ Kings in Christentie.”All the nobles the King about,Said pity it were to see him dee.“Yet grant me mercy, sovereign Prince,Extend your favour unto me!“I’ll give thee the keys of my Castle,Wi’ the blessing o’ my gay Ladye,Gin thou’lt make me sheriff of this forest,And a’ my offspring after me.”“Wilt thou give me the keys of thy Castle,Wi’ the blessing of thy gay Ladye?I’se make thee sheriff of Ettrick Forest,Surely while upward grows the tree;If you be not traitor to the King,Forfaulted sall thou never be.”“But, Prince, what sall come o’ my men?When I gae back, traitor they’ll ca’ me.I had rather lose my life and land,Ere my merrymen rebuked me.”“Will your merrymen amend their lives,And a’ their pardons I grant thee?Now, name thy lands where’er they lie,And here I render them to thee.”“Fair Philiphaugh is mine by right,And Lewinshope still mine shall be;Newark, Foulshiells, and Tinnies baith,My bow and arrow purchased me.“And I have native steads to me,The Newark Lee and Hanginshaw;I have mony steads in Ettrick Forest,But them by name I dinna knaw.”The keys of the Castle he gave the King,Wi’ the blessing o’ his fair Ladye;He was made sheriff of Ettrick Forest,Surely while upward grows the tree;And if he was na traitor to the King,Forfaulted he suld never be.Wha ever heard, in ony times,Sicken an outlaw in his degreeSic favour get before a King,As did Outlaw Murray of the forest free?
TheKing was coming thro’ Caddon Ford,And full five thousand men was he;They saw the dark forest them before,They thought it awsome for to see.Then spak’ the Lord hight Hamilton,And to the noble King said he,“My sovereign Liege, some counsel tak’,First at your nobles, syne at me.“Desire him meet thee at Permanscore,And bring four in his companie;Five Earls sall gang yoursell before,Gude cause that you suld honoured be.“And, gif he refuses to do that,We’ll conquer baith his lands and he;There sall never a Murray, after him,Hold land in Ettrick Forest free.”The King then called a gentleman,Royal banner-bearer there was he,James Hoppringle of Torsonse by name;He cam’ and kneeled upon his knee.“Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse!A message ye maun gang for me:Ye maun gae to yon Outlaw Murray,Surely where boldly bideth he.“Bid him meet me at Permanscore,And bring four in his companie;Five Earls sall come wi’ mysell,Gude reason I suld honoured be.“And gif he refuses to do that,Bid him look for nae good o’ me;There sall never a Murray, after him,Have land in Ettrick Forest free.”James cam’ before the Outlaw keen,And served him in his ain degree:“Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse!What message frae the King to me?”“He bids ye meet him at Permanscore,And bring four in your company;Five Earls sall gang himsell before,Nae mair in number will he be.“And gif you refuse to do that,(I freely here upgive wi’ thee,)He’ll cast yon bonny Castle down,And mak’ a widow o’ that gay Ladye.“He’ll loose yon bloodhound Borderers,Wi’ fire and sword to follow thee;There will never a Murray, after thysell,Have land in Ettrick Forest free.”“It stands me hard,” the Outlaw said,“Judge gif it stands na hard wi’ me:What reck o’ the losing of mysell,But a’ my offspring after me!“Auld Halliday, young Halliday,Ye sall be twa to gang wi’ me;Andrew Murray and Sir James Murray,We’ll be nae mae in companie.”When that they cam’ before the King,They fell before him on their knee:“Grant mercy, mercy, noble King!E’en for His sake that dyed on tree.”“Sicken like mercy sall ye have,On gallows ye sall hangit be!”“Over God’s forbode,” quoth the Outlaw then,“I hope your Grace will better be!Else, ere you come to Edinburgh port,I trow thin guarded sall ye be.“Thir lands of Ettrick Forest fair,I wan them from the enemie;Like as I wan them, sae will I keep them,Contrair a’ Kings in Christentie.”All the nobles the King about,Said pity it were to see him dee.“Yet grant me mercy, sovereign Prince,Extend your favour unto me!“I’ll give thee the keys of my Castle,Wi’ the blessing o’ my gay Ladye,Gin thou’lt make me sheriff of this forest,And a’ my offspring after me.”“Wilt thou give me the keys of thy Castle,Wi’ the blessing of thy gay Ladye?I’se make thee sheriff of Ettrick Forest,Surely while upward grows the tree;If you be not traitor to the King,Forfaulted sall thou never be.”“But, Prince, what sall come o’ my men?When I gae back, traitor they’ll ca’ me.I had rather lose my life and land,Ere my merrymen rebuked me.”“Will your merrymen amend their lives,And a’ their pardons I grant thee?Now, name thy lands where’er they lie,And here I render them to thee.”“Fair Philiphaugh is mine by right,And Lewinshope still mine shall be;Newark, Foulshiells, and Tinnies baith,My bow and arrow purchased me.“And I have native steads to me,The Newark Lee and Hanginshaw;I have mony steads in Ettrick Forest,But them by name I dinna knaw.”The keys of the Castle he gave the King,Wi’ the blessing o’ his fair Ladye;He was made sheriff of Ettrick Forest,Surely while upward grows the tree;And if he was na traitor to the King,Forfaulted he suld never be.Wha ever heard, in ony times,Sicken an outlaw in his degreeSic favour get before a King,As did Outlaw Murray of the forest free?
TheKing was coming thro’ Caddon Ford,And full five thousand men was he;They saw the dark forest them before,They thought it awsome for to see.
TheKing was coming thro’ Caddon Ford,
And full five thousand men was he;
They saw the dark forest them before,
They thought it awsome for to see.
Then spak’ the Lord hight Hamilton,And to the noble King said he,“My sovereign Liege, some counsel tak’,First at your nobles, syne at me.
Then spak’ the Lord hight Hamilton,
And to the noble King said he,
“My sovereign Liege, some counsel tak’,
First at your nobles, syne at me.
“Desire him meet thee at Permanscore,And bring four in his companie;Five Earls sall gang yoursell before,Gude cause that you suld honoured be.
“Desire him meet thee at Permanscore,
And bring four in his companie;
Five Earls sall gang yoursell before,
Gude cause that you suld honoured be.
“And, gif he refuses to do that,We’ll conquer baith his lands and he;There sall never a Murray, after him,Hold land in Ettrick Forest free.”
“And, gif he refuses to do that,
We’ll conquer baith his lands and he;
There sall never a Murray, after him,
Hold land in Ettrick Forest free.”
The King then called a gentleman,Royal banner-bearer there was he,James Hoppringle of Torsonse by name;He cam’ and kneeled upon his knee.
The King then called a gentleman,
Royal banner-bearer there was he,
James Hoppringle of Torsonse by name;
He cam’ and kneeled upon his knee.
“Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse!A message ye maun gang for me:Ye maun gae to yon Outlaw Murray,Surely where boldly bideth he.
“Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse!
A message ye maun gang for me:
Ye maun gae to yon Outlaw Murray,
Surely where boldly bideth he.
“Bid him meet me at Permanscore,And bring four in his companie;Five Earls sall come wi’ mysell,Gude reason I suld honoured be.
“Bid him meet me at Permanscore,
And bring four in his companie;
Five Earls sall come wi’ mysell,
Gude reason I suld honoured be.
“And gif he refuses to do that,Bid him look for nae good o’ me;There sall never a Murray, after him,Have land in Ettrick Forest free.”
“And gif he refuses to do that,
Bid him look for nae good o’ me;
There sall never a Murray, after him,
Have land in Ettrick Forest free.”
James cam’ before the Outlaw keen,And served him in his ain degree:“Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse!What message frae the King to me?”
James cam’ before the Outlaw keen,
And served him in his ain degree:
“Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse!
What message frae the King to me?”
“He bids ye meet him at Permanscore,And bring four in your company;Five Earls sall gang himsell before,Nae mair in number will he be.
“He bids ye meet him at Permanscore,
And bring four in your company;
Five Earls sall gang himsell before,
Nae mair in number will he be.
“And gif you refuse to do that,(I freely here upgive wi’ thee,)He’ll cast yon bonny Castle down,And mak’ a widow o’ that gay Ladye.
“And gif you refuse to do that,
(I freely here upgive wi’ thee,)
He’ll cast yon bonny Castle down,
And mak’ a widow o’ that gay Ladye.
“He’ll loose yon bloodhound Borderers,Wi’ fire and sword to follow thee;There will never a Murray, after thysell,Have land in Ettrick Forest free.”
“He’ll loose yon bloodhound Borderers,
Wi’ fire and sword to follow thee;
There will never a Murray, after thysell,
Have land in Ettrick Forest free.”
“It stands me hard,” the Outlaw said,“Judge gif it stands na hard wi’ me:What reck o’ the losing of mysell,But a’ my offspring after me!
“It stands me hard,” the Outlaw said,
“Judge gif it stands na hard wi’ me:
What reck o’ the losing of mysell,
But a’ my offspring after me!
“Auld Halliday, young Halliday,Ye sall be twa to gang wi’ me;Andrew Murray and Sir James Murray,We’ll be nae mae in companie.”
“Auld Halliday, young Halliday,
Ye sall be twa to gang wi’ me;
Andrew Murray and Sir James Murray,
We’ll be nae mae in companie.”
When that they cam’ before the King,They fell before him on their knee:“Grant mercy, mercy, noble King!E’en for His sake that dyed on tree.”
When that they cam’ before the King,
They fell before him on their knee:
“Grant mercy, mercy, noble King!
E’en for His sake that dyed on tree.”
“Sicken like mercy sall ye have,On gallows ye sall hangit be!”“Over God’s forbode,” quoth the Outlaw then,“I hope your Grace will better be!Else, ere you come to Edinburgh port,I trow thin guarded sall ye be.
“Sicken like mercy sall ye have,
On gallows ye sall hangit be!”
“Over God’s forbode,” quoth the Outlaw then,
“I hope your Grace will better be!
Else, ere you come to Edinburgh port,
I trow thin guarded sall ye be.
“Thir lands of Ettrick Forest fair,I wan them from the enemie;Like as I wan them, sae will I keep them,Contrair a’ Kings in Christentie.”
“Thir lands of Ettrick Forest fair,
I wan them from the enemie;
Like as I wan them, sae will I keep them,
Contrair a’ Kings in Christentie.”
All the nobles the King about,Said pity it were to see him dee.“Yet grant me mercy, sovereign Prince,Extend your favour unto me!
All the nobles the King about,
Said pity it were to see him dee.
“Yet grant me mercy, sovereign Prince,
Extend your favour unto me!
“I’ll give thee the keys of my Castle,Wi’ the blessing o’ my gay Ladye,Gin thou’lt make me sheriff of this forest,And a’ my offspring after me.”
“I’ll give thee the keys of my Castle,
Wi’ the blessing o’ my gay Ladye,
Gin thou’lt make me sheriff of this forest,
And a’ my offspring after me.”
“Wilt thou give me the keys of thy Castle,Wi’ the blessing of thy gay Ladye?I’se make thee sheriff of Ettrick Forest,Surely while upward grows the tree;If you be not traitor to the King,Forfaulted sall thou never be.”
“Wilt thou give me the keys of thy Castle,
Wi’ the blessing of thy gay Ladye?
I’se make thee sheriff of Ettrick Forest,
Surely while upward grows the tree;
If you be not traitor to the King,
Forfaulted sall thou never be.”
“But, Prince, what sall come o’ my men?When I gae back, traitor they’ll ca’ me.I had rather lose my life and land,Ere my merrymen rebuked me.”
“But, Prince, what sall come o’ my men?
When I gae back, traitor they’ll ca’ me.
I had rather lose my life and land,
Ere my merrymen rebuked me.”
“Will your merrymen amend their lives,And a’ their pardons I grant thee?Now, name thy lands where’er they lie,And here I render them to thee.”
“Will your merrymen amend their lives,
And a’ their pardons I grant thee?
Now, name thy lands where’er they lie,
And here I render them to thee.”
“Fair Philiphaugh is mine by right,And Lewinshope still mine shall be;Newark, Foulshiells, and Tinnies baith,My bow and arrow purchased me.
“Fair Philiphaugh is mine by right,
And Lewinshope still mine shall be;
Newark, Foulshiells, and Tinnies baith,
My bow and arrow purchased me.
“And I have native steads to me,The Newark Lee and Hanginshaw;I have mony steads in Ettrick Forest,But them by name I dinna knaw.”
“And I have native steads to me,
The Newark Lee and Hanginshaw;
I have mony steads in Ettrick Forest,
But them by name I dinna knaw.”
The keys of the Castle he gave the King,Wi’ the blessing o’ his fair Ladye;He was made sheriff of Ettrick Forest,Surely while upward grows the tree;And if he was na traitor to the King,Forfaulted he suld never be.
The keys of the Castle he gave the King,
Wi’ the blessing o’ his fair Ladye;
He was made sheriff of Ettrick Forest,
Surely while upward grows the tree;
And if he was na traitor to the King,
Forfaulted he suld never be.
Wha ever heard, in ony times,Sicken an outlaw in his degreeSic favour get before a King,As did Outlaw Murray of the forest free?
Wha ever heard, in ony times,
Sicken an outlaw in his degree
Sic favour get before a King,
As did Outlaw Murray of the forest free?
Englished by William Allingham