D.

Cromek's Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song, p. 207. "From the recital of a peasant-woman of Galloway, upwards of ninety years of age."

1We were sisters, we were seven,We were the fairest under heaven.2And it was a' our seven years warkTo sew our father's seven sarks.3And whan our seven years wark was done,We laid it out upo the green.4We coost the lotties us amang,Wha wad to the greenwood gang,5To pu the lily but and the rose,To strew witha' our sisters' bowers.6... I was youngest,... my weer was hardest.7And to the greenwood I bud gae,. . . . . . .8There I met a handsome childe,. . . . . . .9High-coled stockings and laigh-coled shoon,He bore him like a king's son.10An was I weel, or was I wae,He keepit me a' the simmer day.11An though I for my hame-gaun sich[t],He keepit me a' the simmer night.12He gae to me a gay gold ring,And bade me keep it aboon a' thing.13He gae to me a cuttie knife,And bade me keep it as my life:14Three lauchters o his yellow hair,For fear we wad neer meet mair.* * * * *15Next there came shippes three,To carry a' my bridal fee.16Gowd were the beaks, the sails were silk,Wrought wi maids' hands like milk.17They came toom and light to me,But heavie went they waie frae me.18They were fu o baken bread,They were fu of wine sae red.19My dowry went a' by the sea,But I gaed by the grenewode tree.20An I sighed and made great mane,As thro the grenewode we rade our lane.21An I ay siched an wiped my ee,That eer the grenewode I did see.22'Is there water in your glove,Or win into your shoe?O[r] am I oer low a foot-pageTo rin by you, ladie?'23'O there's nae water in my glove,Nor win into my shoe;But I am maning for my mitherWha's far awa frae me.'* * * * *24'Gin ye be a maiden fair,Meikle gude ye will get there.25'If ye be a maiden but,Meikle sorrow will ye get.26'For seven king's daughters he hath wedded,But never wi ane o them has bedded.27'He cuts the breasts frae their breast-bane,An sends them back unto their dame.28'He sets their backs unto the saddle,An sends them back unto their father.29'But be ye maiden or be ye nane,To the gowden chair ye draw right soon.30'But be ye leman or be ye maiden,Sit nae down till ye be bidden.'31Was she maiden or was she nane,To the gowden chair she drew right soon.32Was she leman or was she maiden,She sat down ere she was bidden.33Out then spake the lord's mother;Says, 'This is not a maiden fair.34'In that chair nae leal maidenEer sits down till they be bidden.'35The Billie Blin then outspake he,As he stood by the fair ladie.36'The bonnie may is tired wi riding,Gaurd her sit down ere she was bidden.'* * * * *37But on her waiting-maid she ca'd:'Fair ladie, what 's your will wi me?''O ye maun gie yere maidenheidThis night to an unco lord for me.'38'I hae been east, I hae been west,I hae been far beyond the sea,But ay, by grenewode or by bower,I hae keepit my virginitie.39'But will it for my ladie plead,I'll gie 't this night to an unco lord.'* * * * *40When bells were rung an vespers sung,An men in sleep were locked soun,41Childe Branton and the waiting-maidInto the bridal bed were laid.42'O lie thee down, my fair ladie,Here are a' things meet for thee;43'Here's a bolster for yere head,Here is sheets an comelie weids.'* * * * *44'Now tell to me, ye Billie Blin,If this fair dame be a leal maiden.'45'I wat she is as leal a wightAs the moon shines on in a simmer night.46'I wat she is as leal a mayAs the sun shines on in a simmer day.47'But your bonnie bride's in her bower,Dreeing the mither's trying hour.'48Then out o his bridal bed he sprang,An into his mither's bower he ran.49'O mither kind, O mither dear,This is nae a maiden fair.50'The maiden I took to my brideHas a bairn atween her sides.51'The maiden I took to my bowerIs dreeing the mither's trying hour.'52Then to the chamber his mother flew,And to the wa the door she threw.53She stapt at neither bolt nor ban,Till to that ladie's bed she wan.54Says, 'Ladie fair, sae meek an mild,Wha is the father o yere child?'55'O mither dear,' said that ladie,'I canna tell gif I sud die.56'We were sisters, we were seven,We were the fairest under heaven.57'And it was a' our seven years warkTo sew our father's seven sarks.58'And whan our seven years wark was done,We laid it out upon the green.59'We coost the lotties us amang,Wha wad to the greenwode gang;60'To pu the lily but an the rose,To strew witha' our sisters' bowers.61..... 'I was youngest,..... my weer was hardest.62'And to the greenwode I bu[d] gae.. . . . . . .63'There I met a handsome childe,. . . . . . .64'Wi laigh-coled stockings and high-coled shoon,He seemed to be some king's son.65'And was I weel or was I wae,He keepit me a' the simmer day.66'Though for my hame-gaun I oft sicht,He keepit me a' the simmer night.67'He gae to me a gay gold ring,An bade me keep it aboon a' thing;68'Three lauchters o his yellow hair,For fear that we suld neer meet mair.69'O mither, if ye'll believe nae me,Break up the coffer, an there ye'll see.'70An ay she coost, an ay she flang,Till her ain gowd ring came in her hand.71And scarce aught i the coffer she left,Till she gat the knife wi the siller heft,72Three lauchters o his yellow hair,Knotted wi ribbons dink and rare.73She cried to her son, 'Where is the ringYour father gave me at our wooing,An I gae you at your hunting?74'What did ye wi the cuttie knife,I bade ye keep it as yere life?'75'O haud yere tongue, my mither dear;I gae them to a lady fair.76'I wad gie a' my lands and rents,I had that ladie within my brents.77'I wad gie a' my lands an towers,I had that ladie within my bowers.'78'Keep still yere lands, keep still yere rents;Ye hae that ladie within yere brents.79'Keep still yere lands, keep still yere towers;Ye hae that lady within your bowers.'80Then to his ladie fast ran he,An low he kneeled on his knee.81'O tauk ye up my son,' said he,'An, mither, tent my fair ladie.82'O wash him purely i the milk,And lay him saftly in the silk.83'An ye maun bed her very soft,For I maun kiss her wondrous oft.'84It was weel written on his breast-baneChilde Branton was the father's name.85It was weel written on his right handHe was the heir o his daddie's land.

1We were sisters, we were seven,We were the fairest under heaven.

2And it was a' our seven years warkTo sew our father's seven sarks.

3And whan our seven years wark was done,We laid it out upo the green.

4We coost the lotties us amang,Wha wad to the greenwood gang,

5To pu the lily but and the rose,To strew witha' our sisters' bowers.

6... I was youngest,... my weer was hardest.

7And to the greenwood I bud gae,. . . . . . .

8There I met a handsome childe,. . . . . . .

9High-coled stockings and laigh-coled shoon,He bore him like a king's son.

10An was I weel, or was I wae,He keepit me a' the simmer day.

11An though I for my hame-gaun sich[t],He keepit me a' the simmer night.

12He gae to me a gay gold ring,And bade me keep it aboon a' thing.

13He gae to me a cuttie knife,And bade me keep it as my life:

14Three lauchters o his yellow hair,For fear we wad neer meet mair.

* * * * *

15Next there came shippes three,To carry a' my bridal fee.

16Gowd were the beaks, the sails were silk,Wrought wi maids' hands like milk.

17They came toom and light to me,But heavie went they waie frae me.

18They were fu o baken bread,They were fu of wine sae red.

19My dowry went a' by the sea,But I gaed by the grenewode tree.

20An I sighed and made great mane,As thro the grenewode we rade our lane.

21An I ay siched an wiped my ee,That eer the grenewode I did see.

22'Is there water in your glove,Or win into your shoe?O[r] am I oer low a foot-pageTo rin by you, ladie?'

23'O there's nae water in my glove,Nor win into my shoe;But I am maning for my mitherWha's far awa frae me.'

* * * * *

24'Gin ye be a maiden fair,Meikle gude ye will get there.

25'If ye be a maiden but,Meikle sorrow will ye get.

26'For seven king's daughters he hath wedded,But never wi ane o them has bedded.

27'He cuts the breasts frae their breast-bane,An sends them back unto their dame.

28'He sets their backs unto the saddle,An sends them back unto their father.

29'But be ye maiden or be ye nane,To the gowden chair ye draw right soon.

30'But be ye leman or be ye maiden,Sit nae down till ye be bidden.'

31Was she maiden or was she nane,To the gowden chair she drew right soon.

32Was she leman or was she maiden,She sat down ere she was bidden.

33Out then spake the lord's mother;Says, 'This is not a maiden fair.

34'In that chair nae leal maidenEer sits down till they be bidden.'

35The Billie Blin then outspake he,As he stood by the fair ladie.

36'The bonnie may is tired wi riding,Gaurd her sit down ere she was bidden.'

* * * * *

37But on her waiting-maid she ca'd:'Fair ladie, what 's your will wi me?''O ye maun gie yere maidenheidThis night to an unco lord for me.'

38'I hae been east, I hae been west,I hae been far beyond the sea,But ay, by grenewode or by bower,I hae keepit my virginitie.

39'But will it for my ladie plead,I'll gie 't this night to an unco lord.'

* * * * *

40When bells were rung an vespers sung,An men in sleep were locked soun,

41Childe Branton and the waiting-maidInto the bridal bed were laid.

42'O lie thee down, my fair ladie,Here are a' things meet for thee;

43'Here's a bolster for yere head,Here is sheets an comelie weids.'

* * * * *

44'Now tell to me, ye Billie Blin,If this fair dame be a leal maiden.'

45'I wat she is as leal a wightAs the moon shines on in a simmer night.

46'I wat she is as leal a mayAs the sun shines on in a simmer day.

47'But your bonnie bride's in her bower,Dreeing the mither's trying hour.'

48Then out o his bridal bed he sprang,An into his mither's bower he ran.

49'O mither kind, O mither dear,This is nae a maiden fair.

50'The maiden I took to my brideHas a bairn atween her sides.

51'The maiden I took to my bowerIs dreeing the mither's trying hour.'

52Then to the chamber his mother flew,And to the wa the door she threw.

53She stapt at neither bolt nor ban,Till to that ladie's bed she wan.

54Says, 'Ladie fair, sae meek an mild,Wha is the father o yere child?'

55'O mither dear,' said that ladie,'I canna tell gif I sud die.

56'We were sisters, we were seven,We were the fairest under heaven.

57'And it was a' our seven years warkTo sew our father's seven sarks.

58'And whan our seven years wark was done,We laid it out upon the green.

59'We coost the lotties us amang,Wha wad to the greenwode gang;

60'To pu the lily but an the rose,To strew witha' our sisters' bowers.

61..... 'I was youngest,..... my weer was hardest.

62'And to the greenwode I bu[d] gae.. . . . . . .

63'There I met a handsome childe,. . . . . . .

64'Wi laigh-coled stockings and high-coled shoon,He seemed to be some king's son.

65'And was I weel or was I wae,He keepit me a' the simmer day.

66'Though for my hame-gaun I oft sicht,He keepit me a' the simmer night.

67'He gae to me a gay gold ring,An bade me keep it aboon a' thing;

68'Three lauchters o his yellow hair,For fear that we suld neer meet mair.

69'O mither, if ye'll believe nae me,Break up the coffer, an there ye'll see.'

70An ay she coost, an ay she flang,Till her ain gowd ring came in her hand.

71And scarce aught i the coffer she left,Till she gat the knife wi the siller heft,

72Three lauchters o his yellow hair,Knotted wi ribbons dink and rare.

73She cried to her son, 'Where is the ringYour father gave me at our wooing,An I gae you at your hunting?

74'What did ye wi the cuttie knife,I bade ye keep it as yere life?'

75'O haud yere tongue, my mither dear;I gae them to a lady fair.

76'I wad gie a' my lands and rents,I had that ladie within my brents.

77'I wad gie a' my lands an towers,I had that ladie within my bowers.'

78'Keep still yere lands, keep still yere rents;Ye hae that ladie within yere brents.

79'Keep still yere lands, keep still yere towers;Ye hae that lady within your bowers.'

80Then to his ladie fast ran he,An low he kneeled on his knee.

81'O tauk ye up my son,' said he,'An, mither, tent my fair ladie.

82'O wash him purely i the milk,And lay him saftly in the silk.

83'An ye maun bed her very soft,For I maun kiss her wondrous oft.'

84It was weel written on his breast-baneChilde Branton was the father's name.

85It was weel written on his right handHe was the heir o his daddie's land.

Buchan's Ancient Ballads and Songs of the North of Scotland,I, 204.

1We were sisters, sisters seven,Bowing down, bowing downThe fairest women under heaven.And aye the birks a-bowing2They kiest kevels them amang,Wha woud to the grenewood gang.3The kevels they gied thro the ha,And on the youngest it did fa.4Now she must to the grenewood gang,To pu the nuts in grenewood hang.5She hadna tarried an hour but aneTill she met wi a highlan groom.6He keeped her sae late and langTill the evening set and birds they sang.7He gae to her at their partingA chain o gold and gay gold ring;8And three locks o his yellow hair;Bade her keep them for evermair.9When six lang months were come and gane,A courtier to this lady came.10Lord Dingwall courted this lady gay,And so he set their wedding-day.11A little boy to the ha was sent,To bring her horse was his intent.12As she was riding the way along,She began to make a heavy moan.13'What ails you, lady,' the boy said,'That ye seem sae dissatisfied?14'Are the bridle reins for you too strong?Or the stirrups for you too long?'15'But, little boy, will ye tell meThe fashions that are in your countrie?'16'The fashions in our ha I'll tell,And o them a' I'll warn you well.17'When ye come in upon the floor,His mither will meet you wi a golden chair.18'But be ye maid or be ye nane,Unto the high seat make ye boun.19'Lord Dingwall aft has been beguildBy girls whom young men hae defiled.20'He's cutted the paps frae their breast-bane,And sent them back to their ain hame.'21When she came in upon the floor,His mother met her wi a golden chair.22But to the high seat she made her boun:She knew that maiden she was nane.23When night was come, they went to bed,And ower her breast his arm he laid.24He quickly jumped upon the floor,And said, 'I've got a vile rank whore.'25Unto his mother he made his moan,Says, 'Mother dear, I am undone.26'Ye've aft tald, when I brought them hame,Whether they were maid or nane.27'I thought I'd gotten a maiden bright;I've gotten but a waefu wight.28'I thought I'd gotten a maiden clear,But gotten but a vile rank whore.'29'When she came in upon the floor,I met her wi a golden chair.30'But to the high seat she made her boun,Because a maiden she was nane.'31'I wonder wha 's tauld that gay ladieThe fashion into our countrie.'32'It is your little boy I blame,Whom ye did send to bring her hame.'33Then to the lady she did go,And said, 'O Lady, let me know34'Who has defiled your fair bodie:Ye're the first that has beguiled me.'35'O we were sisters, sisters seven,The fairest women under heaven.36'And we kiest kevels us amang,Wha woud to the grenewood gang;37'For to pu the finest flowers,To put around our summer bowers.38'I was the youngest o them a';The hardest fortune did me befa.39'Unto the grenewood I did gang,And pu'd the nuts as they down hang.40'I hadna stayd an hour but aneTill I met wi a highlan groom.41'He keeped me sae late and langTill the evening set and birds they sang.42'He gae to me at our partingA chain of gold and gay gold ring;43'And three locks o his yellow hair;Bade me keep them for evermair.44'Then for to show I make nae lie,Look ye my trunk, and ye will see.'45Unto the trunk then she did go,To see if that were true or no.46And aye she sought, and aye she flang,Till these four things came to her hand.47Then she did to her ain son go,And said, 'My son, ye'll let me know,48'Ye will tell to me this thing:What did you wi my wedding-ring?'49'Mother dear, I'll tell nae lie:I gave it to a gay ladie.50'I would gie a' my ha's and towers,I had this bird within my bowers.'51'Keep well, keep well your lands and strands;Ye hae that bird within your hands.52'Now, my son, to your bower ye'll go:Comfort your ladie, she's full o woe.'53Now when nine months were come and gane,The lady she brought hame a son.54It was written on his breast-baneLord Dingwall was his father's name.55He's taen his young son in his arms,And aye he praisd his lovely charms.56And he has gien him kisses three,And doubled them ower to his ladie.

1We were sisters, sisters seven,Bowing down, bowing downThe fairest women under heaven.And aye the birks a-bowing

2They kiest kevels them amang,Wha woud to the grenewood gang.

3The kevels they gied thro the ha,And on the youngest it did fa.

4Now she must to the grenewood gang,To pu the nuts in grenewood hang.

5She hadna tarried an hour but aneTill she met wi a highlan groom.

6He keeped her sae late and langTill the evening set and birds they sang.

7He gae to her at their partingA chain o gold and gay gold ring;

8And three locks o his yellow hair;Bade her keep them for evermair.

9When six lang months were come and gane,A courtier to this lady came.

10Lord Dingwall courted this lady gay,And so he set their wedding-day.

11A little boy to the ha was sent,To bring her horse was his intent.

12As she was riding the way along,She began to make a heavy moan.

13'What ails you, lady,' the boy said,'That ye seem sae dissatisfied?

14'Are the bridle reins for you too strong?Or the stirrups for you too long?'

15'But, little boy, will ye tell meThe fashions that are in your countrie?'

16'The fashions in our ha I'll tell,And o them a' I'll warn you well.

17'When ye come in upon the floor,His mither will meet you wi a golden chair.

18'But be ye maid or be ye nane,Unto the high seat make ye boun.

19'Lord Dingwall aft has been beguildBy girls whom young men hae defiled.

20'He's cutted the paps frae their breast-bane,And sent them back to their ain hame.'

21When she came in upon the floor,His mother met her wi a golden chair.

22But to the high seat she made her boun:She knew that maiden she was nane.

23When night was come, they went to bed,And ower her breast his arm he laid.

24He quickly jumped upon the floor,And said, 'I've got a vile rank whore.'

25Unto his mother he made his moan,Says, 'Mother dear, I am undone.

26'Ye've aft tald, when I brought them hame,Whether they were maid or nane.

27'I thought I'd gotten a maiden bright;I've gotten but a waefu wight.

28'I thought I'd gotten a maiden clear,But gotten but a vile rank whore.'

29'When she came in upon the floor,I met her wi a golden chair.

30'But to the high seat she made her boun,Because a maiden she was nane.'

31'I wonder wha 's tauld that gay ladieThe fashion into our countrie.'

32'It is your little boy I blame,Whom ye did send to bring her hame.'

33Then to the lady she did go,And said, 'O Lady, let me know

34'Who has defiled your fair bodie:Ye're the first that has beguiled me.'

35'O we were sisters, sisters seven,The fairest women under heaven.

36'And we kiest kevels us amang,Wha woud to the grenewood gang;

37'For to pu the finest flowers,To put around our summer bowers.

38'I was the youngest o them a';The hardest fortune did me befa.

39'Unto the grenewood I did gang,And pu'd the nuts as they down hang.

40'I hadna stayd an hour but aneTill I met wi a highlan groom.

41'He keeped me sae late and langTill the evening set and birds they sang.

42'He gae to me at our partingA chain of gold and gay gold ring;

43'And three locks o his yellow hair;Bade me keep them for evermair.

44'Then for to show I make nae lie,Look ye my trunk, and ye will see.'

45Unto the trunk then she did go,To see if that were true or no.

46And aye she sought, and aye she flang,Till these four things came to her hand.

47Then she did to her ain son go,And said, 'My son, ye'll let me know,

48'Ye will tell to me this thing:What did you wi my wedding-ring?'

49'Mother dear, I'll tell nae lie:I gave it to a gay ladie.

50'I would gie a' my ha's and towers,I had this bird within my bowers.'

51'Keep well, keep well your lands and strands;Ye hae that bird within your hands.

52'Now, my son, to your bower ye'll go:Comfort your ladie, she's full o woe.'

53Now when nine months were come and gane,The lady she brought hame a son.

54It was written on his breast-baneLord Dingwall was his father's name.

55He's taen his young son in his arms,And aye he praisd his lovely charms.

56And he has gien him kisses three,And doubled them ower to his ladie.

Elizabeth Cochrane's Song-Book, p. 146, No 112.

1Lord Benwall he's a hunting gone;Hey down, etc.He's taken with him all his merry men.Hey, etc.2As he was walking late alone,He spyed a lady both brisk and young.3He keeped her so long and long,From the evening late till the morning came.4All that he gave her at their partingWas a pair of gloves and a gay gold ring.5Lord Benwall he's a wooing gone,And he's taken with him all his merry men.6As he was walking the Haleigh throw,He spy'd seven ladyes all in a row.7He cast a lot among them all;Upon the youngest the lot did fall.8He wedded her and brought her home,And by the way she made great moan.9'What aileth my dearest and dayly flower?What ails my dear, to make such moan?10'Does the steed carry you too high?Or does thy pillow sit awry?11'Or does the wind blow in thy glove?Or is thy heart after another love?'12'The steed does not carry me too high,Nor does my pillow sit awry.13'Nor does the wind blow in my glove,Nor is my heart after another love.'14When they were doun to supper set,The weary pain took her by the back.15'What ails my dearest and dayly flower?What ails my dearest, to make such moan?'16'I am with child, and it's not to thee,And oh and alas, what shall I doe!'17'I thought I had got a maid so mild;But I have got a woman big with child.18'I thought I had got a dayly flower;I have gotten but a common whore.'* * * * *19'Rise up, Lord Benwall, go to your hall,And cherrish up your merry men all.'* * * * *20'As I was walking once late alone,I spy'd a lord, both brisk and young.21'He keeped me so long and long,From the evening late till the morning came.22'All that he gave me at our partingWas a pair of gloves and a gay gold ring.23'If you will not believe what I tell to thee,There's the key of my coffer, you may go and see.'24His mother went, and threw and flang,Till to her hand the ring it came.25'Lord Benwall, wilt thou tell to meWhere is the ring I gave to thee?'26'Now I would give all my lands and tower,To have that lady in my bower.27'I would give all my lands and rents,To have that lady in my tents.'28'You need not give all your lands and tower,For you have that lady in your power.29'You need not give all your lands and rents,For you have that lady in your tents.'30Now it was written on the child's breast-boneLord Benwall's sirname and his name.31It was written on the child's right handThat he should be heir of Lord Benwall's land.32'Canst cloath my lady in the silk,And feed my young son with the milk.'

1Lord Benwall he's a hunting gone;Hey down, etc.He's taken with him all his merry men.Hey, etc.

2As he was walking late alone,He spyed a lady both brisk and young.

3He keeped her so long and long,From the evening late till the morning came.

4All that he gave her at their partingWas a pair of gloves and a gay gold ring.

5Lord Benwall he's a wooing gone,And he's taken with him all his merry men.

6As he was walking the Haleigh throw,He spy'd seven ladyes all in a row.

7He cast a lot among them all;Upon the youngest the lot did fall.

8He wedded her and brought her home,And by the way she made great moan.

9'What aileth my dearest and dayly flower?What ails my dear, to make such moan?

10'Does the steed carry you too high?Or does thy pillow sit awry?

11'Or does the wind blow in thy glove?Or is thy heart after another love?'

12'The steed does not carry me too high,Nor does my pillow sit awry.

13'Nor does the wind blow in my glove,Nor is my heart after another love.'

14When they were doun to supper set,The weary pain took her by the back.

15'What ails my dearest and dayly flower?What ails my dearest, to make such moan?'

16'I am with child, and it's not to thee,And oh and alas, what shall I doe!'

17'I thought I had got a maid so mild;But I have got a woman big with child.

18'I thought I had got a dayly flower;I have gotten but a common whore.'

* * * * *

19'Rise up, Lord Benwall, go to your hall,And cherrish up your merry men all.'

* * * * *

20'As I was walking once late alone,I spy'd a lord, both brisk and young.

21'He keeped me so long and long,From the evening late till the morning came.

22'All that he gave me at our partingWas a pair of gloves and a gay gold ring.

23'If you will not believe what I tell to thee,There's the key of my coffer, you may go and see.'

24His mother went, and threw and flang,Till to her hand the ring it came.

25'Lord Benwall, wilt thou tell to meWhere is the ring I gave to thee?'

26'Now I would give all my lands and tower,To have that lady in my bower.

27'I would give all my lands and rents,To have that lady in my tents.'

28'You need not give all your lands and tower,For you have that lady in your power.

29'You need not give all your lands and rents,For you have that lady in your tents.'

30Now it was written on the child's breast-boneLord Benwall's sirname and his name.

31It was written on the child's right handThat he should be heir of Lord Benwall's land.

32'Canst cloath my lady in the silk,And feed my young son with the milk.'

a.Motherwell's MS., p 219. From the recitation of Mrs Thomson, February, 1825.b.Motherwell's Minstrelsy, Appendix, p. xvi, the first stanza only.

1There were three sisters in a bouir,Eh down and Oh downAnd the youngest o them was the fairest flour.Eh down and O down2And we began our seven years wark,To sew our brither John a sark.3When seven years was come and gane,There was nae a sleeve in it but ane.4But we coost kevils us amangWha wud to the green-wood gang.5But tho we had coosten neer sae lang,The lot it fell on me aye to gang.6I was the youngest, and I was the fairest,And alace! my wierd it was aye the sairest.7. . . . . . .Till I had to the woods to gae.8To pull the cherrie and the slae,And to seek our ae brither, we had nae mae.9But as I was walking the leas o Lyne,I met a youth gallant and fine;10Wi milk white stockings and coal black shoon;He seemed to be some gay lord's son.11But he keepit me there sae lang, sae lang,Till the maids in the morning were singing their sang.12Would I wee or would I way,He keepit me the lang simmer day.13Would I way or would I wight,He keepit me the simmer night.14But guess what was at our parting?A pair o grass green gloves and a gay gold ring.15He gave me three plaits o his yellow hair,In token that we might meet mair.16But when nine months were come and gane,This gallant lord cam back again.17He's wed this lady, and taen her wi him;But as they were riding the leas o Lyne,18This lady was not able to ride,. . . . . . .19'O does thy saddle set thee aside?Or does thy steed ony wrang way ride?20'Or thinkst thou me too low a groom?. . . . . . .21'Or hast thou musing in thy mindFor the leaving of thy mother kind?'22'My saddle it sets not me aside,Nor does my steed ony wrang way ride.23'Nor think I thee too low a groom. . . . . . .24'But I hae musing in my mindFor the leaving of my mother kind.'25'I'll bring thee to a mother of mine,As good a mother as eer was thine.'26'A better mother she may be,But an unco woman she'll prove to me.'27But when lords and ladies at supper sat,Her pains they struck her in the back.28When lords and ladies were laid in bed,Her pains they struck her in the side.29'Rise up, rise up, now, Lord Brangwill,For I'm wi child and you do not know't.'30He took up his foot and gave her sic a bangTill owre the bed the red blood sprang.31He is up to his mother's ha,Calling her as hard as he could ca.32'I went through moss and I went through mure,Thinking to get some lily flouir.33. . . . . . .'But to my house I have brocht a hure.34'I thocht to have got a lady baith meek and mild,But I've got a woman that's big wi child.'35'O rest you here, Lord Brangwill,' she said,'Till I relieve your lady that lyes so low.'36'O daughter dear, will you tell to meWho is the father of your babie?'37'Yes, mother dear, I will tell theeWho is the father of my babie.38'As I was walking the leas o Lyne,I met a youth gallant and fine;39'With milk-white stockings and coal-black shoon;He seemd to be sum gay lord's son.40'He keepit me sae lang, sae lang,Till the maids in the morning were singing their sang.41'Would I wee or would I way,He keepit me the lang simmer day.42'Would I way or would I wight,He keepit me the simmer night.43'But guess ye what was at our parting?A pair of grass green gloves and a gay gold ring.44'He gave me three plaits o his yellow hair,In token that we might meet mair.'45'O dochter dear, will ye show meThese tokens that he gave to thee?'46'Altho my back should break in three,Unto my coffer I must be.'47'Thy back it shall not break in three,For I'll bring thy coffer to thy knee.'48Aye she coost, and aye she flang,Till these three tokens came to her hand.49Then she is up to her son's ha,Calling him hard as she could ca.50'O son, O son, will you tell me. . . . . . .51'What ye did wi the grass green gloves and gay gold ringThat ye gat at your own birth-een?'52'I gave them to as pretty a mayAs ever I saw in a simmer day.53'I wud rather than a' my lands sae broadThat I had her as sure as eer I had.54'I would rather than a' my lands sae freeI had her here this night wi me.'55'I wish you good o your lands sae broad,For ye have her as sure as eer ye had.56'I wish ye good o your lands sae free,For ye have her here this night wi thee.'57'Gar wash my auld son in the milk,Gar deck my lady's bed wi silk.'58He gave his auld son kisses three,But he doubled them a' to his gay ladye.

1There were three sisters in a bouir,Eh down and Oh downAnd the youngest o them was the fairest flour.Eh down and O down

2And we began our seven years wark,To sew our brither John a sark.

3When seven years was come and gane,There was nae a sleeve in it but ane.

4But we coost kevils us amangWha wud to the green-wood gang.

5But tho we had coosten neer sae lang,The lot it fell on me aye to gang.

6I was the youngest, and I was the fairest,And alace! my wierd it was aye the sairest.

7. . . . . . .Till I had to the woods to gae.

8To pull the cherrie and the slae,And to seek our ae brither, we had nae mae.

9But as I was walking the leas o Lyne,I met a youth gallant and fine;

10Wi milk white stockings and coal black shoon;He seemed to be some gay lord's son.

11But he keepit me there sae lang, sae lang,Till the maids in the morning were singing their sang.

12Would I wee or would I way,He keepit me the lang simmer day.

13Would I way or would I wight,He keepit me the simmer night.

14But guess what was at our parting?A pair o grass green gloves and a gay gold ring.

15He gave me three plaits o his yellow hair,In token that we might meet mair.

16But when nine months were come and gane,This gallant lord cam back again.

17He's wed this lady, and taen her wi him;But as they were riding the leas o Lyne,

18This lady was not able to ride,. . . . . . .

19'O does thy saddle set thee aside?Or does thy steed ony wrang way ride?

20'Or thinkst thou me too low a groom?. . . . . . .

21'Or hast thou musing in thy mindFor the leaving of thy mother kind?'

22'My saddle it sets not me aside,Nor does my steed ony wrang way ride.

23'Nor think I thee too low a groom. . . . . . .

24'But I hae musing in my mindFor the leaving of my mother kind.'

25'I'll bring thee to a mother of mine,As good a mother as eer was thine.'

26'A better mother she may be,But an unco woman she'll prove to me.'

27But when lords and ladies at supper sat,Her pains they struck her in the back.

28When lords and ladies were laid in bed,Her pains they struck her in the side.

29'Rise up, rise up, now, Lord Brangwill,For I'm wi child and you do not know't.'

30He took up his foot and gave her sic a bangTill owre the bed the red blood sprang.

31He is up to his mother's ha,Calling her as hard as he could ca.

32'I went through moss and I went through mure,Thinking to get some lily flouir.

33. . . . . . .'But to my house I have brocht a hure.

34'I thocht to have got a lady baith meek and mild,But I've got a woman that's big wi child.'

35'O rest you here, Lord Brangwill,' she said,'Till I relieve your lady that lyes so low.'

36'O daughter dear, will you tell to meWho is the father of your babie?'

37'Yes, mother dear, I will tell theeWho is the father of my babie.

38'As I was walking the leas o Lyne,I met a youth gallant and fine;

39'With milk-white stockings and coal-black shoon;He seemd to be sum gay lord's son.

40'He keepit me sae lang, sae lang,Till the maids in the morning were singing their sang.

41'Would I wee or would I way,He keepit me the lang simmer day.

42'Would I way or would I wight,He keepit me the simmer night.

43'But guess ye what was at our parting?A pair of grass green gloves and a gay gold ring.

44'He gave me three plaits o his yellow hair,In token that we might meet mair.'

45'O dochter dear, will ye show meThese tokens that he gave to thee?'

46'Altho my back should break in three,Unto my coffer I must be.'

47'Thy back it shall not break in three,For I'll bring thy coffer to thy knee.'

48Aye she coost, and aye she flang,Till these three tokens came to her hand.

49Then she is up to her son's ha,Calling him hard as she could ca.

50'O son, O son, will you tell me. . . . . . .

51'What ye did wi the grass green gloves and gay gold ringThat ye gat at your own birth-een?'

52'I gave them to as pretty a mayAs ever I saw in a simmer day.

53'I wud rather than a' my lands sae broadThat I had her as sure as eer I had.

54'I would rather than a' my lands sae freeI had her here this night wi me.'

55'I wish you good o your lands sae broad,For ye have her as sure as eer ye had.

56'I wish ye good o your lands sae free,For ye have her here this night wi thee.'

57'Gar wash my auld son in the milk,Gar deck my lady's bed wi silk.'

58He gave his auld son kisses three,But he doubled them a' to his gay ladye.

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