C

Motherwell's MS., p. 15; from the recitation of Mrs Thomson, Kilbarchan, February 25, 1825.

1Balankin was as gude a masonas eer picked a stane;He built up Prime Castle,but payment gat nane.2The lord said to his lady,when he was going abroad,O beware of Balankin,for he lyes in the wood.3The gates they were bolted,baith outside and in;At the sma peep of a windowBalankin crap in.4'Good morrow, good morrow,'said Lambert Linkin:'Good morrow to yoursell, sir,'said the false nurse to him.5'O where is your good lord?'said Lambert Linkin:'He's awa to New England,to meet with his king.'6'O where is his auld son?'said Lambert Linkin:'He's awa to buy pearlings,gin our lady lye in.'7'Then she'll never wear them,'said Lambert Linkin:'And that is nae pity,'said the false nurse to him.8'O where is your lady?'said Lambert Linkin:'She's in her bower sleeping,'said the false nurse to him.9'How can we get at her?'said Lambert Linkin:'Stab the babe to the heart,wi a silver bokin.'10'That would be a pity,'said Lambert Linkin:'No pity, no pity,'said the false nurse to him.11Balankin he rocked,and the false nurse she sang,Till all the tores of the cradlewi the red blood down ran.12'O still my babe, nurice,O still him wi the knife!''He'll no be still, lady,tho I lay doun my life.'13'O still my babe, nurice,O still him wi the kame!''He'll no be still, lady,till his daddy come hame.'14'O still my babe, nurice,O still him wi the bell!''He'll no be still, lady,till ye come doun yoursell.'15'It's how can I come down,this cauld winter nicht,Without eer a coal,or a clear candle-licht?'16'There's two smocks in your coffer,as white as a swan;Put one of them about you,it will shew you licht down.'17She took ane o them about her,and came tripping doun;But as soon as she viewed,Balankin was in.18'Good morrow, good morrow,'said Lambert Linkin:'Good morrow to yoursell, sir,'said the lady to him.19'O save my life, Balankin,till my husband come back,And I'll gie you as much red goldas you'll hold in your hat.'20'I'll not save your life, lady,till your husband come back,Tho you would give me as much red goldas I could hold in a sack.21'Will I kill her?' quo Balankin,'will I kill her, or let her be?''You may kill her,' said the false nurse,'she was neer good to me;And ye'll be laird of the castle,and I'll be ladie.'22Then he cut aff her headfram her lily breast-bane,And he hung't up in the kitchen,it made a' the ha shine.23The lord sat in England,a drinking the wine:'I wish a' may be weelwith my lady at hame;For the rings of my fingersthe're now burst in twain!'24He saddled his horse,and he came riding doun,But as soon as he viewed,Balankin was in.25He had na weel steppedtwa steps up the stair,Till he saw his pretty young sonlying dead on the floor.26He had not weel steppedother twa up the stair,Till he saw his pretty ladylying dead in despair.27He hanged Balankinout over the gate,And he burnt the fause nurice,being under the grate.

1Balankin was as gude a masonas eer picked a stane;He built up Prime Castle,but payment gat nane.

2The lord said to his lady,when he was going abroad,O beware of Balankin,for he lyes in the wood.

3The gates they were bolted,baith outside and in;At the sma peep of a windowBalankin crap in.

4'Good morrow, good morrow,'said Lambert Linkin:'Good morrow to yoursell, sir,'said the false nurse to him.

5'O where is your good lord?'said Lambert Linkin:'He's awa to New England,to meet with his king.'

6'O where is his auld son?'said Lambert Linkin:'He's awa to buy pearlings,gin our lady lye in.'

7'Then she'll never wear them,'said Lambert Linkin:'And that is nae pity,'said the false nurse to him.

8'O where is your lady?'said Lambert Linkin:'She's in her bower sleeping,'said the false nurse to him.

9'How can we get at her?'said Lambert Linkin:'Stab the babe to the heart,wi a silver bokin.'

10'That would be a pity,'said Lambert Linkin:'No pity, no pity,'said the false nurse to him.

11Balankin he rocked,and the false nurse she sang,Till all the tores of the cradlewi the red blood down ran.

12'O still my babe, nurice,O still him wi the knife!''He'll no be still, lady,tho I lay doun my life.'

13'O still my babe, nurice,O still him wi the kame!''He'll no be still, lady,till his daddy come hame.'

14'O still my babe, nurice,O still him wi the bell!''He'll no be still, lady,till ye come doun yoursell.'

15'It's how can I come down,this cauld winter nicht,Without eer a coal,or a clear candle-licht?'

16'There's two smocks in your coffer,as white as a swan;Put one of them about you,it will shew you licht down.'

17She took ane o them about her,and came tripping doun;But as soon as she viewed,Balankin was in.

18'Good morrow, good morrow,'said Lambert Linkin:'Good morrow to yoursell, sir,'said the lady to him.

19'O save my life, Balankin,till my husband come back,And I'll gie you as much red goldas you'll hold in your hat.'

20'I'll not save your life, lady,till your husband come back,Tho you would give me as much red goldas I could hold in a sack.

21'Will I kill her?' quo Balankin,'will I kill her, or let her be?''You may kill her,' said the false nurse,'she was neer good to me;And ye'll be laird of the castle,and I'll be ladie.'

22Then he cut aff her headfram her lily breast-bane,And he hung't up in the kitchen,it made a' the ha shine.

23The lord sat in England,a drinking the wine:'I wish a' may be weelwith my lady at hame;For the rings of my fingersthe're now burst in twain!'

24He saddled his horse,and he came riding doun,But as soon as he viewed,Balankin was in.

25He had na weel steppedtwa steps up the stair,Till he saw his pretty young sonlying dead on the floor.

26He had not weel steppedother twa up the stair,Till he saw his pretty ladylying dead in despair.

27He hanged Balankinout over the gate,And he burnt the fause nurice,being under the grate.

Motherwell's MS., p. 9: from Edward King, weaver, Kilbarchan, taken from the recitation of his mother, an old woman.

1Lamerlinkin, as gude a masonas eer laid a stane,Built a house to Lord Arran,but entrance had nane.2Says the lord to his lady,when going abroad,Take care of Lamerlinkin,wha bides in the wood.3'I care not for Lamkin,nor none of his kin;My house is plastered outside,and bolted within.'4The gates they were locked,baith outside and in,But there was a wee holethat let Lamkin creep in.5'Good woman, good woman,'said Lamerlinkin:'Good woman, good woman,'said the fause nurse to him.6'Where's the lord o this house?is he not within?''He's up in Old England,he's dining wi the king.'7'Where's the lady of this house?or is she not within?''She's up in her high room,and cannot come down.'8'Where is the maids o this house?or are they not within?''They are at the well washing,and cannot get in.'9'Where is the men o this house?or are they not within?''They are at the barn threshing,and cannot win hame.'10'O what will I do,to mak her come doun?''We'll kill her auld son,to mak her come doun.'11He took out a pen-knife,baith pointed and sharp,And he stabbed the babiethree times in the heart.12Lamerlinkin did rock,and the fause nurse did sing;Ower the four-cornered cradlethe red blood did spring.13'O please my babie, nurse,O please him wi wands!''He'll no be pleased, madam,for a' his father's lands.'14'O please my babie, nurse,O please him wi keys!''He'll no be pleased, madam,let me do what I please.'15'O please my babie, nurse,O please him with bells!''He'll no be pleased, madam,till you come down yoursell.16'How can I come dounthis cold frosty night,Without coal or candlefor to shew me light?'17'The gold rings on your fingerare bright as the sun;You may see to cum doun the stairwith the light o them.'18O then she came doun the stair,stepping step by step;So ready was Lamkinto grip her in his lap.19'Save my life, Lamkin,till five minutes break,And I'll give thee gold,the fu o a peck.'20'I'll no save your life,till five minutes break,Tho thou should give me gold,the fu of a sack.'21'O Jeany, O Jeany,O scour the bason clean,That your lady's noble bloodmay be kepped clean.'22'O no, no, no, Lambkin,my heart will be sare;O take my life, Lambkin,let my lady go.'* * * * *23He sent for the false nurse,to give her her fee;All the fee that he gave herwas to hang her on a tree.24He sent for Lamerlinkin,to give him his hire;All the hire that he gave himwas to burn him in the fire.

1Lamerlinkin, as gude a masonas eer laid a stane,Built a house to Lord Arran,but entrance had nane.

2Says the lord to his lady,when going abroad,Take care of Lamerlinkin,wha bides in the wood.

3'I care not for Lamkin,nor none of his kin;My house is plastered outside,and bolted within.'

4The gates they were locked,baith outside and in,But there was a wee holethat let Lamkin creep in.

5'Good woman, good woman,'said Lamerlinkin:'Good woman, good woman,'said the fause nurse to him.

6'Where's the lord o this house?is he not within?''He's up in Old England,he's dining wi the king.'

7'Where's the lady of this house?or is she not within?''She's up in her high room,and cannot come down.'

8'Where is the maids o this house?or are they not within?''They are at the well washing,and cannot get in.'

9'Where is the men o this house?or are they not within?''They are at the barn threshing,and cannot win hame.'

10'O what will I do,to mak her come doun?''We'll kill her auld son,to mak her come doun.'

11He took out a pen-knife,baith pointed and sharp,And he stabbed the babiethree times in the heart.

12Lamerlinkin did rock,and the fause nurse did sing;Ower the four-cornered cradlethe red blood did spring.

13'O please my babie, nurse,O please him wi wands!''He'll no be pleased, madam,for a' his father's lands.'

14'O please my babie, nurse,O please him wi keys!''He'll no be pleased, madam,let me do what I please.'

15'O please my babie, nurse,O please him with bells!''He'll no be pleased, madam,till you come down yoursell.

16'How can I come dounthis cold frosty night,Without coal or candlefor to shew me light?'

17'The gold rings on your fingerare bright as the sun;You may see to cum doun the stairwith the light o them.'

18O then she came doun the stair,stepping step by step;So ready was Lamkinto grip her in his lap.

19'Save my life, Lamkin,till five minutes break,And I'll give thee gold,the fu o a peck.'

20'I'll no save your life,till five minutes break,Tho thou should give me gold,the fu of a sack.'

21'O Jeany, O Jeany,O scour the bason clean,That your lady's noble bloodmay be kepped clean.'

22'O no, no, no, Lambkin,my heart will be sare;O take my life, Lambkin,let my lady go.'

* * * * *

23He sent for the false nurse,to give her her fee;All the fee that he gave herwas to hang her on a tree.

24He sent for Lamerlinkin,to give him his hire;All the hire that he gave himwas to burn him in the fire.

Maidment's New Book of Old Ballads, p. 73, No XX; Whitelaw's Book of Scottish Ballads, p. 246, No V: from a manuscript copy, in the possession of W. H. Logan, Edinburgh, derived from oral tradition.

1Said the lord to his lady,Beware of Rankin;For I am going to England,to wait on the king.2'No fears, no fears,'said the lady, said she,'For the doors shall be bolted,and the windows pindee.3'Go bar all the windows,both outside and in;Don't leave a window open,to let Bold Rankin in.'4She has barred all the windows,both outside and in;But she left one of them open,to let Bold Rankin in.5'O where is the master of this house?'said Bold Rankin;'He's up in Old England,'said the false nurse to him.6'O where is the mistress of this house?'said Bold Rankin;'She's up in the chamber sleeping,'said the false nurse to him.7'O how shall we get her down?'said Bold Rankin;'By piercing the baby,'said the false nurse to him.8'Go please the baby, nursy,O go please it with a bell;''It will not be pleased, madam,till you come down yoursel.'9'How can I come down stairs,so late into the night,Without coal or candle,to shew me the light?10'There is a silver boltlies on the chest-head;Give it to the baby,give it sweet milk and bread.'11She rammed the silver boltup the baby's nose,Till the blood it came trinklingdown the baby's fine clothes.12'Go please the baby, nursie,go please it with the bell:''It will not please, madam,till you come down yoursel.13'It will neither please with breast-milk,nor yet with pap;But I pray, loving lady,Come and roll it in your lap.'14The first step she stepit,she steppit on a stone;And the next step she stepit,she met Bold Rankin.15'O Rankin, O Rankin,spare me till twelve o'clock,And I will give you as many guineasas you can carry on your back.'16'What care I for as many guineasas seeds into a sack,When I cannot keep my hands offyour lily-white neck?'17'O will I kill her, nursie,or let her abee?''O kill her,' said the false nurse,'she was never good to me.'18'Go scour the bason, lady,both outside and in,To hold your mother's heart's blood,sprung from a noble kin.'19'To hold my mother's heart's bloodwould make my heart full woe;O rather kill me, Rankin,and let my mother go.'20'Go scour the bason, servants,both outside and in,To hold your lady's heart's blood,sprung from a noble kin.'21'To hold my lady's heart's bloodwould make my heart full woe;O rather kill me, Rankin,and let my lady go.'22'Go scour the bason, nursy,both outside and in,To hold your lady's heart's blood,sprung from a noble kin.'23'To hold my lady's heart's bloodwould make my heart full glad;Ram in the knife, Bold Rankin,and gar the blood to shed.24'She's none of my comrades,she's none of my kin;Ram in the knife, Bold Rankin,and gar the blood rin.'25'O will I kill her, nursy,or let her abee?''O kill her,' said the false nurse,'she was never good to me.'* * * * *26'I wish my wife and familymay be all well at home;For the silver buttons of my coatthey will not stay on.'27As Betsy was lookingoer her window so high,She saw her dear fathercome riding by.28'O father, dear father,don't put the blame on meIt was false nurse and Rankinthat killed your lady.'29O was n't that an awful sight,when he came to the stair,To see his fairest ladylie bleeding there!30The false nurse was burnton the mountain hill-head,And Rankin was boiledin a pot full of lead.

1Said the lord to his lady,Beware of Rankin;For I am going to England,to wait on the king.

2'No fears, no fears,'said the lady, said she,'For the doors shall be bolted,and the windows pindee.

3'Go bar all the windows,both outside and in;Don't leave a window open,to let Bold Rankin in.'

4She has barred all the windows,both outside and in;But she left one of them open,to let Bold Rankin in.

5'O where is the master of this house?'said Bold Rankin;'He's up in Old England,'said the false nurse to him.

6'O where is the mistress of this house?'said Bold Rankin;'She's up in the chamber sleeping,'said the false nurse to him.

7'O how shall we get her down?'said Bold Rankin;'By piercing the baby,'said the false nurse to him.

8'Go please the baby, nursy,O go please it with a bell;''It will not be pleased, madam,till you come down yoursel.'

9'How can I come down stairs,so late into the night,Without coal or candle,to shew me the light?

10'There is a silver boltlies on the chest-head;Give it to the baby,give it sweet milk and bread.'

11She rammed the silver boltup the baby's nose,Till the blood it came trinklingdown the baby's fine clothes.

12'Go please the baby, nursie,go please it with the bell:''It will not please, madam,till you come down yoursel.

13'It will neither please with breast-milk,nor yet with pap;But I pray, loving lady,Come and roll it in your lap.'

14The first step she stepit,she steppit on a stone;And the next step she stepit,she met Bold Rankin.

15'O Rankin, O Rankin,spare me till twelve o'clock,And I will give you as many guineasas you can carry on your back.'

16'What care I for as many guineasas seeds into a sack,When I cannot keep my hands offyour lily-white neck?'

17'O will I kill her, nursie,or let her abee?''O kill her,' said the false nurse,'she was never good to me.'

18'Go scour the bason, lady,both outside and in,To hold your mother's heart's blood,sprung from a noble kin.'

19'To hold my mother's heart's bloodwould make my heart full woe;O rather kill me, Rankin,and let my mother go.'

20'Go scour the bason, servants,both outside and in,To hold your lady's heart's blood,sprung from a noble kin.'

21'To hold my lady's heart's bloodwould make my heart full woe;O rather kill me, Rankin,and let my lady go.'

22'Go scour the bason, nursy,both outside and in,To hold your lady's heart's blood,sprung from a noble kin.'

23'To hold my lady's heart's bloodwould make my heart full glad;Ram in the knife, Bold Rankin,and gar the blood to shed.

24'She's none of my comrades,she's none of my kin;Ram in the knife, Bold Rankin,and gar the blood rin.'

25'O will I kill her, nursy,or let her abee?''O kill her,' said the false nurse,'she was never good to me.'

* * * * *

26'I wish my wife and familymay be all well at home;For the silver buttons of my coatthey will not stay on.'

27As Betsy was lookingoer her window so high,She saw her dear fathercome riding by.

28'O father, dear father,don't put the blame on meIt was false nurse and Rankinthat killed your lady.'

29O was n't that an awful sight,when he came to the stair,To see his fairest ladylie bleeding there!

30The false nurse was burnton the mountain hill-head,And Rankin was boiledin a pot full of lead.

Kinloch MSS, V, 246, from Mary Barr.

1Lambkin was as good a masonas ever laid stone;He builded Lord Montgomery's castle,but payment got none.2He builded the castlewithout and within;But he left an open wakefor himself to get in.3Lord Montgomery said to his lady,when he went abroad,Take care of Bold Lambkin,for he is in the wood.4'Gar bolt the gate, nourice,without and within,Leave not the wake open,to let Bold Lambkin in.'5She bolted the gates,without and within,But she left the wake open,to let Bold Lambkin in.6'Gude morrow, gude morrow,'says Bold Lambkin then;'Gude morrow, gude morrow,'says the false nurse to him.7'Where is Lord Montgomery?or where is he gone?''He is gone up to England,to wait on the king.'8'Where are the servants?and where are they gone?''They are all up to England,to wait upon him.'9'Where is your lady?or where is she gone?''She is in her bower sitting,and sewing her seam.'10'O what shall we dofor to make her come down?''We'll kill the pretty baby,that's sleeping so sound.'11Lambkin he rocked,and the false nurse she sung,And she stabbed the babe to the heartwith a silver bodkin.12'O still my babe, nourice,O still him with the pap:''He'll no be stilled, madam,for this nor for that.'13'O still my babe, nourice,go still him with the keys:''He'll no be stilled, madam,let me do what I please.'14'O still my babe, nourice,go still him with the bell:''He'll no be stilled, madam,till you come down yoursel.'15'How can I come down,this cold winter night,When there's neither coal burning,nor yet candle-light?'16'The sark on your backis whiter than the swan;Come down the stair, lady,by the light of your hand.'17The lady she cam downthe stair trip for trap;Who so ready as Bold Lambkinto meet her in the dark?18'Gude morrow, gude morrow,'said Bold Lambkin then;'Gude morrow, gude morrow,'said the lady to him.19'O where is Lord Montgomery?or where is he gone?''O he is up to England,to wait on the king.'20'O where are your servants?or where are they gone?''They are all up to England,to wait upon him.21'I'll give you as much gold, Lambkin,as you'll put in a peck,If you'll spare my lifetill my lord comes back.'22'Tho you would [give] me as muchas I could put in a sack,I would not spare thy lifetill thy lord comes back.'23Lord Montgomery sate in England,drinking with the king;The buttons flew off his coat,all in a ring.24'God prosper, God prospermy lady and son!For before I get homethey will all be undone.'

1Lambkin was as good a masonas ever laid stone;He builded Lord Montgomery's castle,but payment got none.

2He builded the castlewithout and within;But he left an open wakefor himself to get in.

3Lord Montgomery said to his lady,when he went abroad,Take care of Bold Lambkin,for he is in the wood.

4'Gar bolt the gate, nourice,without and within,Leave not the wake open,to let Bold Lambkin in.'

5She bolted the gates,without and within,But she left the wake open,to let Bold Lambkin in.

6'Gude morrow, gude morrow,'says Bold Lambkin then;'Gude morrow, gude morrow,'says the false nurse to him.

7'Where is Lord Montgomery?or where is he gone?''He is gone up to England,to wait on the king.'

8'Where are the servants?and where are they gone?''They are all up to England,to wait upon him.'

9'Where is your lady?or where is she gone?''She is in her bower sitting,and sewing her seam.'

10'O what shall we dofor to make her come down?''We'll kill the pretty baby,that's sleeping so sound.'

11Lambkin he rocked,and the false nurse she sung,And she stabbed the babe to the heartwith a silver bodkin.

12'O still my babe, nourice,O still him with the pap:''He'll no be stilled, madam,for this nor for that.'

13'O still my babe, nourice,go still him with the keys:''He'll no be stilled, madam,let me do what I please.'

14'O still my babe, nourice,go still him with the bell:''He'll no be stilled, madam,till you come down yoursel.'

15'How can I come down,this cold winter night,When there's neither coal burning,nor yet candle-light?'

16'The sark on your backis whiter than the swan;Come down the stair, lady,by the light of your hand.'

17The lady she cam downthe stair trip for trap;Who so ready as Bold Lambkinto meet her in the dark?

18'Gude morrow, gude morrow,'said Bold Lambkin then;'Gude morrow, gude morrow,'said the lady to him.

19'O where is Lord Montgomery?or where is he gone?''O he is up to England,to wait on the king.'

20'O where are your servants?or where are they gone?''They are all up to England,to wait upon him.

21'I'll give you as much gold, Lambkin,as you'll put in a peck,If you'll spare my lifetill my lord comes back.'

22'Tho you would [give] me as muchas I could put in a sack,I would not spare thy lifetill thy lord comes back.'

23Lord Montgomery sate in England,drinking with the king;The buttons flew off his coat,all in a ring.

24'God prosper, God prospermy lady and son!For before I get homethey will all be undone.'

a.Notes and Queries, Second Series, II, 324, as sung by a nurse nearly a century ago [1856] in Northumberland.b.Notes and Queries, Fourth Series, II, p. 281, from Northamptonshire, communicated by Mr B. H. Cowper.

1Said my lord to his ladye,as he mounted his horse, (bis)Take care of Long Lankyn,who lies in the moss. (bis)2Said my lord to his ladye,as he rode away,Take care of Long Lankyn,who lies in the clay.3Let the doors be all bolted,and the windows all pinned,And leave not a holefor a mouse to creep in.4Then he kissed his fair ladye,and he rode away;He must be in Londonbefore break of day.5The doors were all bolted,and the windows were pinned,All but one little window,where Long Lankyn crept in.6'Where is the lord of this house?'said Long Lankyn:'He is gone to fair London,'said the false nurse to him.7'Where is the ladye of this house?'said Long Lankyn:'She's asleep in her chamber,'said the false nurse to him.8'Where is the heir of this house?'said Long Lankyn:'He's asleep in his cradle,'said the false nurse to him.* * * * *9'We'll prick him, and prick him,all over with a pin,And that will make your ladyeto come down to him.'10So he pricked him and pricked,all over with a pin,And the nurse held a basinfor the blood to run in.11'Oh nurse, how you sleep!Oh nurse, how you snore!'And you leave my little son Johnstoneto cry and to roar.'12'I've tried him with suck,and I've tried him with pap;So come down, my fair ladye,and nurse him in your lap.'13'Oh nurse, how you sleep!Oh nurse, how you snore!And you leave my little son Johnstoneto cry and to roar.'14'I've tried him with apples,I've tried him with pears;So come down, my fair ladye,and rock him in your chair.'15'How can I come down,'tis so late in the night,When there's no candle burning,nor fire to give light?'16'You have three silver mantlesas bright as the sun;So come down, my fair ladye,by the light of one.'* * * * *17'Oh spare me, Long Lankyn,oh spare me till twelve o'clock,You shall have as much goldas you can carry on your back.'18'If I had as much goldas would build me a tower,'. . . . . . .. . . . . . .19'Oh spare me, Long Lankyn,oh spare me one hour,You shall have my daughter Betsy,she is a sweet flower.'20'Where is your daughter Betsy?she may do some good;She can hold the silver basin,to catch your heart's blood.'* * * * *21Lady Betsy was sittingin her window so high,And she saw her father,as he was riding by.22'Oh father, oh father,don't lay the blame on me;'Twas the false nurse and Long Lankynthat killed your ladye.'* * * * *23Then Long Lankyn was hangedon a gallows so high,And the false nurse was burntin a fire just by.

1Said my lord to his ladye,as he mounted his horse, (bis)Take care of Long Lankyn,who lies in the moss. (bis)

2Said my lord to his ladye,as he rode away,Take care of Long Lankyn,who lies in the clay.

3Let the doors be all bolted,and the windows all pinned,And leave not a holefor a mouse to creep in.

4Then he kissed his fair ladye,and he rode away;He must be in Londonbefore break of day.

5The doors were all bolted,and the windows were pinned,All but one little window,where Long Lankyn crept in.

6'Where is the lord of this house?'said Long Lankyn:'He is gone to fair London,'said the false nurse to him.

7'Where is the ladye of this house?'said Long Lankyn:'She's asleep in her chamber,'said the false nurse to him.

8'Where is the heir of this house?'said Long Lankyn:'He's asleep in his cradle,'said the false nurse to him.

* * * * *

9'We'll prick him, and prick him,all over with a pin,And that will make your ladyeto come down to him.'

10So he pricked him and pricked,all over with a pin,And the nurse held a basinfor the blood to run in.

11'Oh nurse, how you sleep!Oh nurse, how you snore!'And you leave my little son Johnstoneto cry and to roar.'

12'I've tried him with suck,and I've tried him with pap;So come down, my fair ladye,and nurse him in your lap.'

13'Oh nurse, how you sleep!Oh nurse, how you snore!And you leave my little son Johnstoneto cry and to roar.'

14'I've tried him with apples,I've tried him with pears;So come down, my fair ladye,and rock him in your chair.'

15'How can I come down,'tis so late in the night,When there's no candle burning,nor fire to give light?'

16'You have three silver mantlesas bright as the sun;So come down, my fair ladye,by the light of one.'

* * * * *

17'Oh spare me, Long Lankyn,oh spare me till twelve o'clock,You shall have as much goldas you can carry on your back.'

18'If I had as much goldas would build me a tower,'. . . . . . .. . . . . . .

19'Oh spare me, Long Lankyn,oh spare me one hour,You shall have my daughter Betsy,she is a sweet flower.'

20'Where is your daughter Betsy?she may do some good;She can hold the silver basin,to catch your heart's blood.'

* * * * *

21Lady Betsy was sittingin her window so high,And she saw her father,as he was riding by.

22'Oh father, oh father,don't lay the blame on me;'Twas the false nurse and Long Lankynthat killed your ladye.'

* * * * *

23Then Long Lankyn was hangedon a gallows so high,And the false nurse was burntin a fire just by.

Richardson's Borderer's Table Book, VIII, 410, 1846, communicated by Mrs Blackett, Newcastle, as taken down from the recitation of an old woman of Ovington, Northumberland, "several years ago;" previously in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1835, p. 11.

1The lord said to his ladie,as he mounted his horse,Beware of Long Lonkin,that lies in the moss.2The lord said to his ladie,as he rode away,Beware of Long Lonkin,that lies in the clay.3'What care I for Lonkin,or any of his gang?My doors are all shut,and my windows penned in.'4There were six little windows,and they were all shut,But one little window,and that was forgot.5. . . . . . .. . . . . . .And at that little windowlong Lonkin crept in.6'Where's the lord of the hall?'says the Lonkin:'He's gone up to London,'says Orange to him.7'Where's the men of the hall?'says the Lonkin:'They're at the field ploughing,'says Orange to him.8'Where's the maids of the hall?'says the Lonkin:'They're at the well washing,'says Orange to him.9'Where's the ladies of the hall?'says the Lonkin:'They're up in their chambers,'says Orange to him.10'How shall we get them down?'says the Lonkin:'Prick the babe in the cradle,'says Orange to him.11'Rock well my cradle,and bee-ba my son;You shall have a new gownwhen the lord he comes home.'12Still she did prick it,and bee-ba she cried:'Come down, dearest mistress,and still your own child.'13'Oh still my child, Orange,still him with a bell:''I can't still him, ladie,till you come down yoursell.'* * * * *14'Hold the gold basin,for your heart's blood to run in,'. . . . . . .. . . . . . .15'To hold the gold basin,it grieves me full sore;Oh kill me, dear Lonkin,and let my mother go.'

1The lord said to his ladie,as he mounted his horse,Beware of Long Lonkin,that lies in the moss.

2The lord said to his ladie,as he rode away,Beware of Long Lonkin,that lies in the clay.

3'What care I for Lonkin,or any of his gang?My doors are all shut,and my windows penned in.'

4There were six little windows,and they were all shut,But one little window,and that was forgot.

5. . . . . . .. . . . . . .And at that little windowlong Lonkin crept in.

6'Where's the lord of the hall?'says the Lonkin:'He's gone up to London,'says Orange to him.

7'Where's the men of the hall?'says the Lonkin:'They're at the field ploughing,'says Orange to him.

8'Where's the maids of the hall?'says the Lonkin:'They're at the well washing,'says Orange to him.

9'Where's the ladies of the hall?'says the Lonkin:'They're up in their chambers,'says Orange to him.

10'How shall we get them down?'says the Lonkin:'Prick the babe in the cradle,'says Orange to him.

11'Rock well my cradle,and bee-ba my son;You shall have a new gownwhen the lord he comes home.'

12Still she did prick it,and bee-ba she cried:'Come down, dearest mistress,and still your own child.'

13'Oh still my child, Orange,still him with a bell:''I can't still him, ladie,till you come down yoursell.'

* * * * *

14'Hold the gold basin,for your heart's blood to run in,'. . . . . . .. . . . . . .

15'To hold the gold basin,it grieves me full sore;Oh kill me, dear Lonkin,and let my mother go.'

Kinloch MSS, I, 306.

1Bauld Rankin was as gude a masonas eer biggit wi stane;He has biggit a bonny castle,but siller he gat nane.* * * * *2'Gae bar the gates,' the lady said,'gae bar them out and in;Leave not a door open,lest Rankin should come in.'3They've bard them on the outer side,sae hae they on the in;But left the cellar-door open,and Bauld Rankin crap in.4'Where's a' the women o the house?'says Bauld Rankin:'They're at the well washing,'says the fause nurse to him.5'Where's a' the men of this house?'says the Bauld Rankin:'They are at the barn thrashing,'says the fause nurse to him.6'Where's the lady of this house?'says the Bauld Rankin:'She's in the chamber, sleeping,'says the fause nurse to him.7'How will we get her wakent?how will we get her down?''We'll pierce the baby's heart's blood,'says the fause nurse to him.* * * * *8'Come, please the babe, nurse,come please it wi the keys:''It'll no be pleased, madam,tho I'll down on my knees.'9'Come, please the babe, nurse,come, please it wi the knife:''It'll no be pleased, madam,should I lay down my life.'10'Come, please the babe, nurse,come, please it wi the bell:''It'll no be pleased, madam,till ye come down yoursel.'11'How can I come down, how can I come,sae late in the night,And neither coal nor candle,for to shew me light?'12The first step she steppit,she steppit on a stane;The next step she steppit,she met the Bauld Rankin.13'O spare my life, Rankin,O spare it most dear!I'll gie you as monie guineasas birds in the air.14'O spare my life, Rankin,O save it most sweet!I'll gie you as monie guineasas there's stanes in the street.'* * * * *15'I wish my wife and bairnsmay be all well at hame;For the buttons on my waistcoatthey winna bide on.16'I wish my wife and familymay be all well at home;For the rings upon my fingersthey winna bide on.'* * * * *17He has kindled a big bane-fire,in the middle o the closs,And he has burned Bauld Rankin,likewise the fause nurse.

1Bauld Rankin was as gude a masonas eer biggit wi stane;He has biggit a bonny castle,but siller he gat nane.

* * * * *

2'Gae bar the gates,' the lady said,'gae bar them out and in;Leave not a door open,lest Rankin should come in.'

3They've bard them on the outer side,sae hae they on the in;But left the cellar-door open,and Bauld Rankin crap in.

4'Where's a' the women o the house?'says Bauld Rankin:'They're at the well washing,'says the fause nurse to him.

5'Where's a' the men of this house?'says the Bauld Rankin:'They are at the barn thrashing,'says the fause nurse to him.

6'Where's the lady of this house?'says the Bauld Rankin:'She's in the chamber, sleeping,'says the fause nurse to him.

7'How will we get her wakent?how will we get her down?''We'll pierce the baby's heart's blood,'says the fause nurse to him.

* * * * *

8'Come, please the babe, nurse,come please it wi the keys:''It'll no be pleased, madam,tho I'll down on my knees.'

9'Come, please the babe, nurse,come, please it wi the knife:''It'll no be pleased, madam,should I lay down my life.'

10'Come, please the babe, nurse,come, please it wi the bell:''It'll no be pleased, madam,till ye come down yoursel.'

11'How can I come down, how can I come,sae late in the night,And neither coal nor candle,for to shew me light?'

12The first step she steppit,she steppit on a stane;The next step she steppit,she met the Bauld Rankin.

13'O spare my life, Rankin,O spare it most dear!I'll gie you as monie guineasas birds in the air.

14'O spare my life, Rankin,O save it most sweet!I'll gie you as monie guineasas there's stanes in the street.'

* * * * *

15'I wish my wife and bairnsmay be all well at hame;For the buttons on my waistcoatthey winna bide on.

16'I wish my wife and familymay be all well at home;For the rings upon my fingersthey winna bide on.'

* * * * *

17He has kindled a big bane-fire,in the middle o the closs,And he has burned Bauld Rankin,likewise the fause nurse.

Skene MSS, p. 75, North of Scotland, 1802-03.

1Lanckin was as guid a masonas ever did use stane;He biggit Lord Murray's house,an payment neer got nane.2It fell ance on a dayLord Murray went frae hame,An Lankin came to the fause nourice,. . . . . . .* * * * *3'O still my bairn, nourice,still him wi the knife:''He winna still, lady,Tho I should lay down my life.'4'O still my bairn, nurice,still him wi the bell:''He winna still, lady,till ye come down yersel.'5The first [step she steppit],she came on the marble stane;The next step [she steppit],she met him Lankin.6'O spare my life, Lankin,an I'll gie ye a peck o goud;An that dinna please ye,I'll heap it wi my hand.'7'O will I kill the lady, nurice,or will I lat her be?''O kill her, Lankin,she was never guid to me.'8'O wanted ye yer meat, nurice?or wanted ye yer fee?Or wanted ye the othir bountiesladys are wont to gie?'9. . . . . . .. . . . . . .'O kill her, Lankin,she was never guid to me.'10'Gae wash a bason, nurice,an ye wash it clean,To cape this ladie's blood;she is come o high kine.'11'I winna wash a bason,nor will I wash it clean,To cape this ladie's blood,tho she's come o high kine.'* * * * *12Bonny sang yon bird,as he sat upon the tree,But sare grat Lankin,for he was hangit hie.13Bonny sang the bird,that sat upon the hill,But sare grat the nurice,whan the caudron gan to boil.14. . . . . . .Lankin was hangit hie,And the fause nourice burntin the caudron was she.

1Lanckin was as guid a masonas ever did use stane;He biggit Lord Murray's house,an payment neer got nane.

2It fell ance on a dayLord Murray went frae hame,An Lankin came to the fause nourice,. . . . . . .

* * * * *

3'O still my bairn, nourice,still him wi the knife:''He winna still, lady,Tho I should lay down my life.'

4'O still my bairn, nurice,still him wi the bell:''He winna still, lady,till ye come down yersel.'

5The first [step she steppit],she came on the marble stane;The next step [she steppit],she met him Lankin.

6'O spare my life, Lankin,an I'll gie ye a peck o goud;An that dinna please ye,I'll heap it wi my hand.'

7'O will I kill the lady, nurice,or will I lat her be?''O kill her, Lankin,she was never guid to me.'

8'O wanted ye yer meat, nurice?or wanted ye yer fee?Or wanted ye the othir bountiesladys are wont to gie?'

9. . . . . . .. . . . . . .'O kill her, Lankin,she was never guid to me.'

10'Gae wash a bason, nurice,an ye wash it clean,To cape this ladie's blood;she is come o high kine.'

11'I winna wash a bason,nor will I wash it clean,To cape this ladie's blood,tho she's come o high kine.'

* * * * *

12Bonny sang yon bird,as he sat upon the tree,But sare grat Lankin,for he was hangit hie.

13Bonny sang the bird,that sat upon the hill,But sare grat the nurice,whan the caudron gan to boil.

14. . . . . . .Lankin was hangit hie,And the fause nourice burntin the caudron was she.

Back to Index Next