1My father was the Duke of York,My mother a lady free,Mysel a dainty demosell,Queen Mary sent for me.2The queen’s meat, it was sae sweet,Her clothing was sae rare,It made me lang for Sweet Willie’s bed,An I’ll rue it ever maer.3Mary Beaton, and Mary Seaton,And Lady Livinston, three,We’ll never meet in Queen Mary’s bower,Now Maries tho ye be.4Queen Mary sat in her bower,Sewing her silver seam;She thought she heard a baby greet,But an a lady meen.5She threw her needle frae her,Her seam out of her hand,An she is on to Lady Mary’s bower,As fast as she could gang.6‘Open yer door, Lady Mary,’ she says,‘And lat me come in;For I hear a baby greet,But an a lady meen.’7‘There is na bab in my bower, madam,Nor never thinks to be,But the strong pains of gravelThis night has seized me.’8She pat her fit to the door,But an her knee,Baith of brass and iron bandsIn flinders she gard flee.9She pat a hand to her bed-head,An ither to her bed-feet,An bonny was the babWas blabbering in its bleed.10‘Wae worth ye, Lady Mary,An ill dead sall ye die!For an ye widna kept the bonny bab,Ye might ha sen’t to me.’11‘Lay na the wate on me, madam,Lay na the wate on me!For my fas love bare the brand at his sideThat gared my barrine die.’12‘Get up, Lady Beaton, get up, Lady Seton,And Lady Livinstone three,An we will on to Edinburgh,An try this gay lady.’13As she came to the Cannongate,The burgers’ wives they cryedHon ohon, ochree! . . .. . . . . . .14‘O had you still, ye burgers’ wives,An make na meen for me;Seek never grace of a graceless face,For they hae nane to gie.15‘Ye merchants and ye mariners,That trade upon the sea,O dinna tell in my countryThe dead I’m gaen to die!16‘Ye merchants and ye mariners,That sail upo the faeme,O dinna tell in my countryBut that I’m comin hame!17‘Little did my father think,Whan he brought me our the sea,That he wad see me yellow locksHang on a gallow’s tree.18‘Little did my mither thinkWhan she brought me fra hame,That she maught see my yellow loksHan[g] on a gallow-pin.19‘O had your hand a while!. . . . . . .For yonder comes my father,I’m sure he’l borrow me.20‘O some of your goud, father,An of your well won fee,To save me [frae the high hill][And] frae the gallow-tree!’21‘Ye’s get nane of my goud,Nor of my well won fee,For I would gie five hundred pownTo see ye hangit hie.’22‘O had yer hand a while!. . . . . . .Yonder is my love Willie,Sure he will borrow me.23‘O some o your goud, my love Willie,An some o yer well won fee,To save me frae the high hill,And fra the gallow-tree!’24‘Ye’s get a’ my goud,And a’ my well won fee,To save ye fra the headin-hill,And frae the gallow-tree.’
1My father was the Duke of York,My mother a lady free,Mysel a dainty demosell,Queen Mary sent for me.2The queen’s meat, it was sae sweet,Her clothing was sae rare,It made me lang for Sweet Willie’s bed,An I’ll rue it ever maer.3Mary Beaton, and Mary Seaton,And Lady Livinston, three,We’ll never meet in Queen Mary’s bower,Now Maries tho ye be.4Queen Mary sat in her bower,Sewing her silver seam;She thought she heard a baby greet,But an a lady meen.5She threw her needle frae her,Her seam out of her hand,An she is on to Lady Mary’s bower,As fast as she could gang.6‘Open yer door, Lady Mary,’ she says,‘And lat me come in;For I hear a baby greet,But an a lady meen.’7‘There is na bab in my bower, madam,Nor never thinks to be,But the strong pains of gravelThis night has seized me.’8She pat her fit to the door,But an her knee,Baith of brass and iron bandsIn flinders she gard flee.9She pat a hand to her bed-head,An ither to her bed-feet,An bonny was the babWas blabbering in its bleed.10‘Wae worth ye, Lady Mary,An ill dead sall ye die!For an ye widna kept the bonny bab,Ye might ha sen’t to me.’11‘Lay na the wate on me, madam,Lay na the wate on me!For my fas love bare the brand at his sideThat gared my barrine die.’12‘Get up, Lady Beaton, get up, Lady Seton,And Lady Livinstone three,An we will on to Edinburgh,An try this gay lady.’13As she came to the Cannongate,The burgers’ wives they cryedHon ohon, ochree! . . .. . . . . . .14‘O had you still, ye burgers’ wives,An make na meen for me;Seek never grace of a graceless face,For they hae nane to gie.15‘Ye merchants and ye mariners,That trade upon the sea,O dinna tell in my countryThe dead I’m gaen to die!16‘Ye merchants and ye mariners,That sail upo the faeme,O dinna tell in my countryBut that I’m comin hame!17‘Little did my father think,Whan he brought me our the sea,That he wad see me yellow locksHang on a gallow’s tree.18‘Little did my mither thinkWhan she brought me fra hame,That she maught see my yellow loksHan[g] on a gallow-pin.19‘O had your hand a while!. . . . . . .For yonder comes my father,I’m sure he’l borrow me.20‘O some of your goud, father,An of your well won fee,To save me [frae the high hill][And] frae the gallow-tree!’21‘Ye’s get nane of my goud,Nor of my well won fee,For I would gie five hundred pownTo see ye hangit hie.’22‘O had yer hand a while!. . . . . . .Yonder is my love Willie,Sure he will borrow me.23‘O some o your goud, my love Willie,An some o yer well won fee,To save me frae the high hill,And fra the gallow-tree!’24‘Ye’s get a’ my goud,And a’ my well won fee,To save ye fra the headin-hill,And frae the gallow-tree.’
1My father was the Duke of York,My mother a lady free,Mysel a dainty demosell,Queen Mary sent for me.
1
My father was the Duke of York,
My mother a lady free,
Mysel a dainty demosell,
Queen Mary sent for me.
2The queen’s meat, it was sae sweet,Her clothing was sae rare,It made me lang for Sweet Willie’s bed,An I’ll rue it ever maer.
2
The queen’s meat, it was sae sweet,
Her clothing was sae rare,
It made me lang for Sweet Willie’s bed,
An I’ll rue it ever maer.
3Mary Beaton, and Mary Seaton,And Lady Livinston, three,We’ll never meet in Queen Mary’s bower,Now Maries tho ye be.
3
Mary Beaton, and Mary Seaton,
And Lady Livinston, three,
We’ll never meet in Queen Mary’s bower,
Now Maries tho ye be.
4Queen Mary sat in her bower,Sewing her silver seam;She thought she heard a baby greet,But an a lady meen.
4
Queen Mary sat in her bower,
Sewing her silver seam;
She thought she heard a baby greet,
But an a lady meen.
5She threw her needle frae her,Her seam out of her hand,An she is on to Lady Mary’s bower,As fast as she could gang.
5
She threw her needle frae her,
Her seam out of her hand,
An she is on to Lady Mary’s bower,
As fast as she could gang.
6‘Open yer door, Lady Mary,’ she says,‘And lat me come in;For I hear a baby greet,But an a lady meen.’
6
‘Open yer door, Lady Mary,’ she says,
‘And lat me come in;
For I hear a baby greet,
But an a lady meen.’
7‘There is na bab in my bower, madam,Nor never thinks to be,But the strong pains of gravelThis night has seized me.’
7
‘There is na bab in my bower, madam,
Nor never thinks to be,
But the strong pains of gravel
This night has seized me.’
8She pat her fit to the door,But an her knee,Baith of brass and iron bandsIn flinders she gard flee.
8
She pat her fit to the door,
But an her knee,
Baith of brass and iron bands
In flinders she gard flee.
9She pat a hand to her bed-head,An ither to her bed-feet,An bonny was the babWas blabbering in its bleed.
9
She pat a hand to her bed-head,
An ither to her bed-feet,
An bonny was the bab
Was blabbering in its bleed.
10‘Wae worth ye, Lady Mary,An ill dead sall ye die!For an ye widna kept the bonny bab,Ye might ha sen’t to me.’
10
‘Wae worth ye, Lady Mary,
An ill dead sall ye die!
For an ye widna kept the bonny bab,
Ye might ha sen’t to me.’
11‘Lay na the wate on me, madam,Lay na the wate on me!For my fas love bare the brand at his sideThat gared my barrine die.’
11
‘Lay na the wate on me, madam,
Lay na the wate on me!
For my fas love bare the brand at his side
That gared my barrine die.’
12‘Get up, Lady Beaton, get up, Lady Seton,And Lady Livinstone three,An we will on to Edinburgh,An try this gay lady.’
12
‘Get up, Lady Beaton, get up, Lady Seton,
And Lady Livinstone three,
An we will on to Edinburgh,
An try this gay lady.’
13As she came to the Cannongate,The burgers’ wives they cryedHon ohon, ochree! . . .. . . . . . .
13
As she came to the Cannongate,
The burgers’ wives they cryed
Hon ohon, ochree! . . .
. . . . . . .
14‘O had you still, ye burgers’ wives,An make na meen for me;Seek never grace of a graceless face,For they hae nane to gie.
14
‘O had you still, ye burgers’ wives,
An make na meen for me;
Seek never grace of a graceless face,
For they hae nane to gie.
15‘Ye merchants and ye mariners,That trade upon the sea,O dinna tell in my countryThe dead I’m gaen to die!
15
‘Ye merchants and ye mariners,
That trade upon the sea,
O dinna tell in my country
The dead I’m gaen to die!
16‘Ye merchants and ye mariners,That sail upo the faeme,O dinna tell in my countryBut that I’m comin hame!
16
‘Ye merchants and ye mariners,
That sail upo the faeme,
O dinna tell in my country
But that I’m comin hame!
17‘Little did my father think,Whan he brought me our the sea,That he wad see me yellow locksHang on a gallow’s tree.
17
‘Little did my father think,
Whan he brought me our the sea,
That he wad see me yellow locks
Hang on a gallow’s tree.
18‘Little did my mither thinkWhan she brought me fra hame,That she maught see my yellow loksHan[g] on a gallow-pin.
18
‘Little did my mither think
Whan she brought me fra hame,
That she maught see my yellow loks
Han[g] on a gallow-pin.
19‘O had your hand a while!. . . . . . .For yonder comes my father,I’m sure he’l borrow me.
19
‘O had your hand a while!
. . . . . . .
For yonder comes my father,
I’m sure he’l borrow me.
20‘O some of your goud, father,An of your well won fee,To save me [frae the high hill][And] frae the gallow-tree!’
20
‘O some of your goud, father,
An of your well won fee,
To save me [frae the high hill]
[And] frae the gallow-tree!’
21‘Ye’s get nane of my goud,Nor of my well won fee,For I would gie five hundred pownTo see ye hangit hie.’
21
‘Ye’s get nane of my goud,
Nor of my well won fee,
For I would gie five hundred pown
To see ye hangit hie.’
22‘O had yer hand a while!. . . . . . .Yonder is my love Willie,Sure he will borrow me.
22
‘O had yer hand a while!
. . . . . . .
Yonder is my love Willie,
Sure he will borrow me.
23‘O some o your goud, my love Willie,An some o yer well won fee,To save me frae the high hill,And fra the gallow-tree!’
23
‘O some o your goud, my love Willie,
An some o yer well won fee,
To save me frae the high hill,
And fra the gallow-tree!’
24‘Ye’s get a’ my goud,And a’ my well won fee,To save ye fra the headin-hill,And frae the gallow-tree.’
24
‘Ye’s get a’ my goud,
And a’ my well won fee,
To save ye fra the headin-hill,
And frae the gallow-tree.’
Manuscript of Scottish Songs and Ballads, copied by a granddaughter of Lord Woodhouselee, 1840–50, p. 51.
1O Mary Hamilton to the kirk is gane,Wi ribbons in her hair;An the king thoct mair o MarieThen onie that were there.2Mary Hamilton’s to the preaching gane,Wi ribbons on her breast;An the king thocht mair o MarieThan he thocht o the priest.3Syne word is thro the palace gane,I heard it tauld yestreen,The king loes Mary HamiltonMair than he loes his queen.4A sad tale thro the town is gaen,A sad tale on the morrow;Oh Mary Hamilton has born a babe,An slain it in her sorrow!5And down then cam the auld queen,Goud tassels tied her hair:‘What did ye wi the wee wee bairnThat I heard greet sae sair?’6‘There neer was a bairn into my room,An as little designs to be;’Twas but a stitch o my sair side,Cam owre my fair bodie.’7‘Rise up now, Marie,’ quo the queen,‘Rise up, an come wi me,For we maun ride to Holyrood,A gay wedding to see.’8The queen was drest in scarlet fine,Her maidens all in green;An every town that they cam throTook Marie for the queen.9But little wist Marie Hamilton,As she rode oure the lea,That she was gaun to Edinbro townHer doom to hear and dree.10When she cam to the Netherbow Port,She laughed loud laughters three;But when she reached the gallows-tree,The tears blinded her ee.11‘Oh aften have I dressed my queen,An put gowd in her hair;The gallows-tree is my reward,An shame maun be my share!12‘Oh aften hae I dressed my queen,An saft saft made her bed;An now I’ve got for my rewardThe gallows-tree to tread!13‘There’s a health to all gallant sailors,That sail upon the sea!Oh never let on to my father and mitherThe death that I maun dee!14‘An I charge ye, all ye mariners,When ye sail owre the main,Let neither my father nor mither knowBut that I’m comin hame.15‘Oh little did my mither ken,That day she cradled me,What lands I was to tread in,Or what death I should dee.16‘Yestreen the queen had four Maries,The nicht she’ll hae but three;There’s Marie Seaton, an Marie Beaton,An Marie Carmichael, an me.’
1O Mary Hamilton to the kirk is gane,Wi ribbons in her hair;An the king thoct mair o MarieThen onie that were there.2Mary Hamilton’s to the preaching gane,Wi ribbons on her breast;An the king thocht mair o MarieThan he thocht o the priest.3Syne word is thro the palace gane,I heard it tauld yestreen,The king loes Mary HamiltonMair than he loes his queen.4A sad tale thro the town is gaen,A sad tale on the morrow;Oh Mary Hamilton has born a babe,An slain it in her sorrow!5And down then cam the auld queen,Goud tassels tied her hair:‘What did ye wi the wee wee bairnThat I heard greet sae sair?’6‘There neer was a bairn into my room,An as little designs to be;’Twas but a stitch o my sair side,Cam owre my fair bodie.’7‘Rise up now, Marie,’ quo the queen,‘Rise up, an come wi me,For we maun ride to Holyrood,A gay wedding to see.’8The queen was drest in scarlet fine,Her maidens all in green;An every town that they cam throTook Marie for the queen.9But little wist Marie Hamilton,As she rode oure the lea,That she was gaun to Edinbro townHer doom to hear and dree.10When she cam to the Netherbow Port,She laughed loud laughters three;But when she reached the gallows-tree,The tears blinded her ee.11‘Oh aften have I dressed my queen,An put gowd in her hair;The gallows-tree is my reward,An shame maun be my share!12‘Oh aften hae I dressed my queen,An saft saft made her bed;An now I’ve got for my rewardThe gallows-tree to tread!13‘There’s a health to all gallant sailors,That sail upon the sea!Oh never let on to my father and mitherThe death that I maun dee!14‘An I charge ye, all ye mariners,When ye sail owre the main,Let neither my father nor mither knowBut that I’m comin hame.15‘Oh little did my mither ken,That day she cradled me,What lands I was to tread in,Or what death I should dee.16‘Yestreen the queen had four Maries,The nicht she’ll hae but three;There’s Marie Seaton, an Marie Beaton,An Marie Carmichael, an me.’
1O Mary Hamilton to the kirk is gane,Wi ribbons in her hair;An the king thoct mair o MarieThen onie that were there.
1
O Mary Hamilton to the kirk is gane,
Wi ribbons in her hair;
An the king thoct mair o Marie
Then onie that were there.
2Mary Hamilton’s to the preaching gane,Wi ribbons on her breast;An the king thocht mair o MarieThan he thocht o the priest.
2
Mary Hamilton’s to the preaching gane,
Wi ribbons on her breast;
An the king thocht mair o Marie
Than he thocht o the priest.
3Syne word is thro the palace gane,I heard it tauld yestreen,The king loes Mary HamiltonMair than he loes his queen.
3
Syne word is thro the palace gane,
I heard it tauld yestreen,
The king loes Mary Hamilton
Mair than he loes his queen.
4A sad tale thro the town is gaen,A sad tale on the morrow;Oh Mary Hamilton has born a babe,An slain it in her sorrow!
4
A sad tale thro the town is gaen,
A sad tale on the morrow;
Oh Mary Hamilton has born a babe,
An slain it in her sorrow!
5And down then cam the auld queen,Goud tassels tied her hair:‘What did ye wi the wee wee bairnThat I heard greet sae sair?’
5
And down then cam the auld queen,
Goud tassels tied her hair:
‘What did ye wi the wee wee bairn
That I heard greet sae sair?’
6‘There neer was a bairn into my room,An as little designs to be;’Twas but a stitch o my sair side,Cam owre my fair bodie.’
6
‘There neer was a bairn into my room,
An as little designs to be;
’Twas but a stitch o my sair side,
Cam owre my fair bodie.’
7‘Rise up now, Marie,’ quo the queen,‘Rise up, an come wi me,For we maun ride to Holyrood,A gay wedding to see.’
7
‘Rise up now, Marie,’ quo the queen,
‘Rise up, an come wi me,
For we maun ride to Holyrood,
A gay wedding to see.’
8The queen was drest in scarlet fine,Her maidens all in green;An every town that they cam throTook Marie for the queen.
8
The queen was drest in scarlet fine,
Her maidens all in green;
An every town that they cam thro
Took Marie for the queen.
9But little wist Marie Hamilton,As she rode oure the lea,That she was gaun to Edinbro townHer doom to hear and dree.
9
But little wist Marie Hamilton,
As she rode oure the lea,
That she was gaun to Edinbro town
Her doom to hear and dree.
10When she cam to the Netherbow Port,She laughed loud laughters three;But when she reached the gallows-tree,The tears blinded her ee.
10
When she cam to the Netherbow Port,
She laughed loud laughters three;
But when she reached the gallows-tree,
The tears blinded her ee.
11‘Oh aften have I dressed my queen,An put gowd in her hair;The gallows-tree is my reward,An shame maun be my share!
11
‘Oh aften have I dressed my queen,
An put gowd in her hair;
The gallows-tree is my reward,
An shame maun be my share!
12‘Oh aften hae I dressed my queen,An saft saft made her bed;An now I’ve got for my rewardThe gallows-tree to tread!
12
‘Oh aften hae I dressed my queen,
An saft saft made her bed;
An now I’ve got for my reward
The gallows-tree to tread!
13‘There’s a health to all gallant sailors,That sail upon the sea!Oh never let on to my father and mitherThe death that I maun dee!
13
‘There’s a health to all gallant sailors,
That sail upon the sea!
Oh never let on to my father and mither
The death that I maun dee!
14‘An I charge ye, all ye mariners,When ye sail owre the main,Let neither my father nor mither knowBut that I’m comin hame.
14
‘An I charge ye, all ye mariners,
When ye sail owre the main,
Let neither my father nor mither know
But that I’m comin hame.
15‘Oh little did my mither ken,That day she cradled me,What lands I was to tread in,Or what death I should dee.
15
‘Oh little did my mither ken,
That day she cradled me,
What lands I was to tread in,
Or what death I should dee.
16‘Yestreen the queen had four Maries,The nicht she’ll hae but three;There’s Marie Seaton, an Marie Beaton,An Marie Carmichael, an me.’
16
‘Yestreen the queen had four Maries,
The nicht she’ll hae but three;
There’s Marie Seaton, an Marie Beaton,
An Marie Carmichael, an me.’
Kinloch’s Ancient Scottish Ballads, p. 252; a North Country version.
1‘Whan I was a babe, and a very little babe,And stood at my mither’s knee,Nae witch nor warlock did unfauldThe death I was to dree.2‘But my mither was a proud woman,A proud woman and a bauld;And she hired me to Queen Mary’s bouer,When scarce eleven years auld.3‘O happy, happy is the maid,That’s born of beauty free!It was my dimpling rosy cheeksThat’s been the dule o me;And wae be to that weirdless wicht,And a’ his witcherie!‘4Word’s gane up and word’s gane doun,An word’s gane to the ha,That Mary Hamilton was wi bairn,An na body kend to wha.5But in and cam the queen hersel,Wi gowd plait on her hair:Says, Mary Hamilton, whare is the babeThat I heard greet sae sair?6‘There is na babe within my bouer,And I hope there neer will be;But it’s me wi a sair and sick colic,And I’m just like to dee.’7But they looked up, they looked down,Atween the bowsters and the wa,It’s there they got a bonnie lad-bairn,But its life it was awa.8Rise up, rise up, Mary Hamilton,Rise up, and dress ye fine,For you maun gang to Edinbruch,And stand afore the nine.9‘Ye’ll no put on the dowie black,Nor yet the dowie brown;But ye’ll put on the robes o red,To sheen thro Edinbruch town.’10‘I’ll no put on the dowie black,Nor yet the dowie brown;But I’ll put on the robes o red,To sheen thro Edinbruch town.’11As they gaed thro Edinbruch town,And down by the Nether-bow,There war monie a lady fairSiching and crying, Och how!12‘O weep na mair for me, ladies,Weep na mair for me!Yestreen I killed my ain bairn,The day I deserve to dee.13‘What need ye hech and how, ladies?What need ye how for me?Ye never saw grace at a graceless face,Queen Mary has nane to gie.’14‘Gae forward, gae forward,’ the queen she said,‘Gae forward, that ye may see;For the very same words that ye hae saidSall hang ye on the gallows-tree.’15As she gaed up the Tolbooth stairs,She gied loud lauchters three;But or ever she cam down again,She was condemnd to dee.16‘O tak example frae me, Maries,O tak example frae me,Nor gie your luve to courtly lords,Nor heed their witchin’ ee.17‘But wae be to the Queen hersel,She micht hae pardond me;But sair she’s striven for me to hangUpon the gallows-tree.18‘Yestreen the Queen had four Maries,The nicht she’ll hae but three;There was Mary Beatoun, Mary Seaton,And Mary Carmichael, and me.19‘Aft hae I set pearls in her hair,Aft hae I lac’d her gown,And this is the reward I now get,To be hangd in Edinbruch town!20‘O a’ye mariners, far and near,That sail ayont the faem,O dinna let my father and mither kenBut what I am coming hame!21‘O a’ye mariners, far and near,That sail ayont the sea,Let na my father and mither kenThe death I am to dee!22‘Sae, weep na mair for me, ladies,Weep na mair for me;The mither that kills her ain bairnDeserves weel for to dee.’
1‘Whan I was a babe, and a very little babe,And stood at my mither’s knee,Nae witch nor warlock did unfauldThe death I was to dree.2‘But my mither was a proud woman,A proud woman and a bauld;And she hired me to Queen Mary’s bouer,When scarce eleven years auld.3‘O happy, happy is the maid,That’s born of beauty free!It was my dimpling rosy cheeksThat’s been the dule o me;And wae be to that weirdless wicht,And a’ his witcherie!‘4Word’s gane up and word’s gane doun,An word’s gane to the ha,That Mary Hamilton was wi bairn,An na body kend to wha.5But in and cam the queen hersel,Wi gowd plait on her hair:Says, Mary Hamilton, whare is the babeThat I heard greet sae sair?6‘There is na babe within my bouer,And I hope there neer will be;But it’s me wi a sair and sick colic,And I’m just like to dee.’7But they looked up, they looked down,Atween the bowsters and the wa,It’s there they got a bonnie lad-bairn,But its life it was awa.8Rise up, rise up, Mary Hamilton,Rise up, and dress ye fine,For you maun gang to Edinbruch,And stand afore the nine.9‘Ye’ll no put on the dowie black,Nor yet the dowie brown;But ye’ll put on the robes o red,To sheen thro Edinbruch town.’10‘I’ll no put on the dowie black,Nor yet the dowie brown;But I’ll put on the robes o red,To sheen thro Edinbruch town.’11As they gaed thro Edinbruch town,And down by the Nether-bow,There war monie a lady fairSiching and crying, Och how!12‘O weep na mair for me, ladies,Weep na mair for me!Yestreen I killed my ain bairn,The day I deserve to dee.13‘What need ye hech and how, ladies?What need ye how for me?Ye never saw grace at a graceless face,Queen Mary has nane to gie.’14‘Gae forward, gae forward,’ the queen she said,‘Gae forward, that ye may see;For the very same words that ye hae saidSall hang ye on the gallows-tree.’15As she gaed up the Tolbooth stairs,She gied loud lauchters three;But or ever she cam down again,She was condemnd to dee.16‘O tak example frae me, Maries,O tak example frae me,Nor gie your luve to courtly lords,Nor heed their witchin’ ee.17‘But wae be to the Queen hersel,She micht hae pardond me;But sair she’s striven for me to hangUpon the gallows-tree.18‘Yestreen the Queen had four Maries,The nicht she’ll hae but three;There was Mary Beatoun, Mary Seaton,And Mary Carmichael, and me.19‘Aft hae I set pearls in her hair,Aft hae I lac’d her gown,And this is the reward I now get,To be hangd in Edinbruch town!20‘O a’ye mariners, far and near,That sail ayont the faem,O dinna let my father and mither kenBut what I am coming hame!21‘O a’ye mariners, far and near,That sail ayont the sea,Let na my father and mither kenThe death I am to dee!22‘Sae, weep na mair for me, ladies,Weep na mair for me;The mither that kills her ain bairnDeserves weel for to dee.’
1‘Whan I was a babe, and a very little babe,And stood at my mither’s knee,Nae witch nor warlock did unfauldThe death I was to dree.
1
‘Whan I was a babe, and a very little babe,
And stood at my mither’s knee,
Nae witch nor warlock did unfauld
The death I was to dree.
2‘But my mither was a proud woman,A proud woman and a bauld;And she hired me to Queen Mary’s bouer,When scarce eleven years auld.
2
‘But my mither was a proud woman,
A proud woman and a bauld;
And she hired me to Queen Mary’s bouer,
When scarce eleven years auld.
3‘O happy, happy is the maid,That’s born of beauty free!It was my dimpling rosy cheeksThat’s been the dule o me;And wae be to that weirdless wicht,And a’ his witcherie!‘
3
‘O happy, happy is the maid,
That’s born of beauty free!
It was my dimpling rosy cheeks
That’s been the dule o me;
And wae be to that weirdless wicht,
And a’ his witcherie!‘
4Word’s gane up and word’s gane doun,An word’s gane to the ha,That Mary Hamilton was wi bairn,An na body kend to wha.
4
Word’s gane up and word’s gane doun,
An word’s gane to the ha,
That Mary Hamilton was wi bairn,
An na body kend to wha.
5But in and cam the queen hersel,Wi gowd plait on her hair:Says, Mary Hamilton, whare is the babeThat I heard greet sae sair?
5
But in and cam the queen hersel,
Wi gowd plait on her hair:
Says, Mary Hamilton, whare is the babe
That I heard greet sae sair?
6‘There is na babe within my bouer,And I hope there neer will be;But it’s me wi a sair and sick colic,And I’m just like to dee.’
6
‘There is na babe within my bouer,
And I hope there neer will be;
But it’s me wi a sair and sick colic,
And I’m just like to dee.’
7But they looked up, they looked down,Atween the bowsters and the wa,It’s there they got a bonnie lad-bairn,But its life it was awa.
7
But they looked up, they looked down,
Atween the bowsters and the wa,
It’s there they got a bonnie lad-bairn,
But its life it was awa.
8Rise up, rise up, Mary Hamilton,Rise up, and dress ye fine,For you maun gang to Edinbruch,And stand afore the nine.
8
Rise up, rise up, Mary Hamilton,
Rise up, and dress ye fine,
For you maun gang to Edinbruch,
And stand afore the nine.
9‘Ye’ll no put on the dowie black,Nor yet the dowie brown;But ye’ll put on the robes o red,To sheen thro Edinbruch town.’
9
‘Ye’ll no put on the dowie black,
Nor yet the dowie brown;
But ye’ll put on the robes o red,
To sheen thro Edinbruch town.’
10‘I’ll no put on the dowie black,Nor yet the dowie brown;But I’ll put on the robes o red,To sheen thro Edinbruch town.’
10
‘I’ll no put on the dowie black,
Nor yet the dowie brown;
But I’ll put on the robes o red,
To sheen thro Edinbruch town.’
11As they gaed thro Edinbruch town,And down by the Nether-bow,There war monie a lady fairSiching and crying, Och how!
11
As they gaed thro Edinbruch town,
And down by the Nether-bow,
There war monie a lady fair
Siching and crying, Och how!
12‘O weep na mair for me, ladies,Weep na mair for me!Yestreen I killed my ain bairn,The day I deserve to dee.
12
‘O weep na mair for me, ladies,
Weep na mair for me!
Yestreen I killed my ain bairn,
The day I deserve to dee.
13‘What need ye hech and how, ladies?What need ye how for me?Ye never saw grace at a graceless face,Queen Mary has nane to gie.’
13
‘What need ye hech and how, ladies?
What need ye how for me?
Ye never saw grace at a graceless face,
Queen Mary has nane to gie.’
14‘Gae forward, gae forward,’ the queen she said,‘Gae forward, that ye may see;For the very same words that ye hae saidSall hang ye on the gallows-tree.’
14
‘Gae forward, gae forward,’ the queen she said,
‘Gae forward, that ye may see;
For the very same words that ye hae said
Sall hang ye on the gallows-tree.’
15As she gaed up the Tolbooth stairs,She gied loud lauchters three;But or ever she cam down again,She was condemnd to dee.
15
As she gaed up the Tolbooth stairs,
She gied loud lauchters three;
But or ever she cam down again,
She was condemnd to dee.
16‘O tak example frae me, Maries,O tak example frae me,Nor gie your luve to courtly lords,Nor heed their witchin’ ee.
16
‘O tak example frae me, Maries,
O tak example frae me,
Nor gie your luve to courtly lords,
Nor heed their witchin’ ee.
17‘But wae be to the Queen hersel,She micht hae pardond me;But sair she’s striven for me to hangUpon the gallows-tree.
17
‘But wae be to the Queen hersel,
She micht hae pardond me;
But sair she’s striven for me to hang
Upon the gallows-tree.
18‘Yestreen the Queen had four Maries,The nicht she’ll hae but three;There was Mary Beatoun, Mary Seaton,And Mary Carmichael, and me.
18
‘Yestreen the Queen had four Maries,
The nicht she’ll hae but three;
There was Mary Beatoun, Mary Seaton,
And Mary Carmichael, and me.
19‘Aft hae I set pearls in her hair,Aft hae I lac’d her gown,And this is the reward I now get,To be hangd in Edinbruch town!
19
‘Aft hae I set pearls in her hair,
Aft hae I lac’d her gown,
And this is the reward I now get,
To be hangd in Edinbruch town!
20‘O a’ye mariners, far and near,That sail ayont the faem,O dinna let my father and mither kenBut what I am coming hame!
20
‘O a’ye mariners, far and near,
That sail ayont the faem,
O dinna let my father and mither ken
But what I am coming hame!
21‘O a’ye mariners, far and near,That sail ayont the sea,Let na my father and mither kenThe death I am to dee!
21
‘O a’ye mariners, far and near,
That sail ayont the sea,
Let na my father and mither ken
The death I am to dee!
22‘Sae, weep na mair for me, ladies,Weep na mair for me;The mither that kills her ain bairnDeserves weel for to dee.’
22
‘Sae, weep na mair for me, ladies,
Weep na mair for me;
The mither that kills her ain bairn
Deserves weel for to dee.’
a.Scott’s Minstrelsy, 1833, III, 294, made up from various copies.b.Three stanzas (23, 18, 19) in the first edition of the Minstrelsy, 1802, II, 154, from recitation.
1Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,Wi ribbons in her hair;The king thought mair o Marie HamiltonThan ony that were there.2Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,Wi ribbons on her breast;The king thought mair o Marie HamiltonThen he listend to the priest.3Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,Wi gloves upon her hands;The king thought mair o Marie Hamilton,Than the queen and a’her lands.4She hadna been about the king’s courtA month, but barely one,Till she was beloved by a’the king’s court,And the king the only man.5She hadna been about the king’s courtA month, but barely three,Till frae the king’s court Marie Hamilton,Marie Hamilton durstna be.6The king is to the Abbey gane,To pu the Abbey-tree,To scale the babe frae Marie’s heart,But the thing it wadna be.7O she has rowd it in her apron,And set it on the sea:‘Gae sink ye, or swim ye, bonny babe!Ye’s get nae mair o me.’8Word is to the kitchen gane,And word is to the ha,And word is to the noble room,Amang the ladyes a’,That Marie Hamilton’s brought to bed,And the bonny babe’s mist and awa.9Scarcely had she lain down again,And scarcely fa’en asleep,When up then started our gude queen,Just at her bed-feet,Saying, Marie Hamilton, where’s your babe?For I am sure I heard it greet.10‘O no, O no, my noble queen,Think no such thing to be!’Twas but a stitch into my side,And sair it troubles me.’11‘Get up, get up, Marie Hamilton,Get up and follow me;For I am going to Edinburgh town,A rich wedding for to see.’12O slowly, slowly raise she up,And slowly put she on,And slowly rode she out the way,Wi mony a weary groan.13The queen was clad in scarlet,Her merry maids all in green,And every town that they cam to,They took Marie for the queen.14‘Ride hooly, hooly, gentlemen,Ride hooly now wi me!For never, I am sure, a wearier burdRade in your cumpanie.’15But little wist Marie Hamilton,When she rade on the brown,That she was gaen to Edinburgh town,And a’to be put down.16‘Why weep ye so, ye burgess-wives,Why look ye so on me?O I am going to Edinburgh townA rich wedding for to see!’17When she gaed up the Tolbooth stairs,The corks frae her heels did flee;And lang or eer she cam down againShe was condemnd to die.18When she cam to the Netherbow Port,She laughed loud laughters three;But when she cam to the gallows-foot,The tears blinded her ee.19‘Yestreen the queen had four Maries,The night she’ll hae but three;There was Marie Seaton, and Marie Beaton,And Marie Carmichael, and me.20‘O often have I dressd my queen,And put gold upon her hair;But now I’ve gotten for my rewardThe gallows to be my share.21‘Often have I dressd my queen,And often made her bed;But now I’ve gotten for my rewardThe gallows-tree to tread.22‘I charge ye all, ye mariners,When ye sail ower the faem,Let neither my father nor mother get witBut that I’m coming hame!23‘I charge ye all, ye mariners,That sail upon the sea,Let neither my father nor mother get witThis dog’s death I’m to die!24‘For if my father and mother got wit,And my bold brethren three,O mickle wad be the gude red bludeThis day wad be spilt for me!25‘O little did my mother ken,That day she cradled me,The lands I was to travel in,Or the death I was to die!’
1Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,Wi ribbons in her hair;The king thought mair o Marie HamiltonThan ony that were there.2Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,Wi ribbons on her breast;The king thought mair o Marie HamiltonThen he listend to the priest.3Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,Wi gloves upon her hands;The king thought mair o Marie Hamilton,Than the queen and a’her lands.4She hadna been about the king’s courtA month, but barely one,Till she was beloved by a’the king’s court,And the king the only man.5She hadna been about the king’s courtA month, but barely three,Till frae the king’s court Marie Hamilton,Marie Hamilton durstna be.6The king is to the Abbey gane,To pu the Abbey-tree,To scale the babe frae Marie’s heart,But the thing it wadna be.7O she has rowd it in her apron,And set it on the sea:‘Gae sink ye, or swim ye, bonny babe!Ye’s get nae mair o me.’8Word is to the kitchen gane,And word is to the ha,And word is to the noble room,Amang the ladyes a’,That Marie Hamilton’s brought to bed,And the bonny babe’s mist and awa.9Scarcely had she lain down again,And scarcely fa’en asleep,When up then started our gude queen,Just at her bed-feet,Saying, Marie Hamilton, where’s your babe?For I am sure I heard it greet.10‘O no, O no, my noble queen,Think no such thing to be!’Twas but a stitch into my side,And sair it troubles me.’11‘Get up, get up, Marie Hamilton,Get up and follow me;For I am going to Edinburgh town,A rich wedding for to see.’12O slowly, slowly raise she up,And slowly put she on,And slowly rode she out the way,Wi mony a weary groan.13The queen was clad in scarlet,Her merry maids all in green,And every town that they cam to,They took Marie for the queen.14‘Ride hooly, hooly, gentlemen,Ride hooly now wi me!For never, I am sure, a wearier burdRade in your cumpanie.’15But little wist Marie Hamilton,When she rade on the brown,That she was gaen to Edinburgh town,And a’to be put down.16‘Why weep ye so, ye burgess-wives,Why look ye so on me?O I am going to Edinburgh townA rich wedding for to see!’17When she gaed up the Tolbooth stairs,The corks frae her heels did flee;And lang or eer she cam down againShe was condemnd to die.18When she cam to the Netherbow Port,She laughed loud laughters three;But when she cam to the gallows-foot,The tears blinded her ee.19‘Yestreen the queen had four Maries,The night she’ll hae but three;There was Marie Seaton, and Marie Beaton,And Marie Carmichael, and me.20‘O often have I dressd my queen,And put gold upon her hair;But now I’ve gotten for my rewardThe gallows to be my share.21‘Often have I dressd my queen,And often made her bed;But now I’ve gotten for my rewardThe gallows-tree to tread.22‘I charge ye all, ye mariners,When ye sail ower the faem,Let neither my father nor mother get witBut that I’m coming hame!23‘I charge ye all, ye mariners,That sail upon the sea,Let neither my father nor mother get witThis dog’s death I’m to die!24‘For if my father and mother got wit,And my bold brethren three,O mickle wad be the gude red bludeThis day wad be spilt for me!25‘O little did my mother ken,That day she cradled me,The lands I was to travel in,Or the death I was to die!’
1Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,Wi ribbons in her hair;The king thought mair o Marie HamiltonThan ony that were there.
1
Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,
Wi ribbons in her hair;
The king thought mair o Marie Hamilton
Than ony that were there.
2Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,Wi ribbons on her breast;The king thought mair o Marie HamiltonThen he listend to the priest.
2
Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,
Wi ribbons on her breast;
The king thought mair o Marie Hamilton
Then he listend to the priest.
3Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,Wi gloves upon her hands;The king thought mair o Marie Hamilton,Than the queen and a’her lands.
3
Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,
Wi gloves upon her hands;
The king thought mair o Marie Hamilton,
Than the queen and a’her lands.
4She hadna been about the king’s courtA month, but barely one,Till she was beloved by a’the king’s court,And the king the only man.
4
She hadna been about the king’s court
A month, but barely one,
Till she was beloved by a’the king’s court,
And the king the only man.
5She hadna been about the king’s courtA month, but barely three,Till frae the king’s court Marie Hamilton,Marie Hamilton durstna be.
5
She hadna been about the king’s court
A month, but barely three,
Till frae the king’s court Marie Hamilton,
Marie Hamilton durstna be.
6The king is to the Abbey gane,To pu the Abbey-tree,To scale the babe frae Marie’s heart,But the thing it wadna be.
6
The king is to the Abbey gane,
To pu the Abbey-tree,
To scale the babe frae Marie’s heart,
But the thing it wadna be.
7O she has rowd it in her apron,And set it on the sea:‘Gae sink ye, or swim ye, bonny babe!Ye’s get nae mair o me.’
7
O she has rowd it in her apron,
And set it on the sea:
‘Gae sink ye, or swim ye, bonny babe!
Ye’s get nae mair o me.’
8Word is to the kitchen gane,And word is to the ha,And word is to the noble room,Amang the ladyes a’,That Marie Hamilton’s brought to bed,And the bonny babe’s mist and awa.
8
Word is to the kitchen gane,
And word is to the ha,
And word is to the noble room,
Amang the ladyes a’,
That Marie Hamilton’s brought to bed,
And the bonny babe’s mist and awa.
9Scarcely had she lain down again,And scarcely fa’en asleep,When up then started our gude queen,Just at her bed-feet,Saying, Marie Hamilton, where’s your babe?For I am sure I heard it greet.
9
Scarcely had she lain down again,
And scarcely fa’en asleep,
When up then started our gude queen,
Just at her bed-feet,
Saying, Marie Hamilton, where’s your babe?
For I am sure I heard it greet.
10‘O no, O no, my noble queen,Think no such thing to be!’Twas but a stitch into my side,And sair it troubles me.’
10
‘O no, O no, my noble queen,
Think no such thing to be!
’Twas but a stitch into my side,
And sair it troubles me.’
11‘Get up, get up, Marie Hamilton,Get up and follow me;For I am going to Edinburgh town,A rich wedding for to see.’
11
‘Get up, get up, Marie Hamilton,
Get up and follow me;
For I am going to Edinburgh town,
A rich wedding for to see.’
12O slowly, slowly raise she up,And slowly put she on,And slowly rode she out the way,Wi mony a weary groan.
12
O slowly, slowly raise she up,
And slowly put she on,
And slowly rode she out the way,
Wi mony a weary groan.
13The queen was clad in scarlet,Her merry maids all in green,And every town that they cam to,They took Marie for the queen.
13
The queen was clad in scarlet,
Her merry maids all in green,
And every town that they cam to,
They took Marie for the queen.
14‘Ride hooly, hooly, gentlemen,Ride hooly now wi me!For never, I am sure, a wearier burdRade in your cumpanie.’
14
‘Ride hooly, hooly, gentlemen,
Ride hooly now wi me!
For never, I am sure, a wearier burd
Rade in your cumpanie.’
15But little wist Marie Hamilton,When she rade on the brown,That she was gaen to Edinburgh town,And a’to be put down.
15
But little wist Marie Hamilton,
When she rade on the brown,
That she was gaen to Edinburgh town,
And a’to be put down.
16‘Why weep ye so, ye burgess-wives,Why look ye so on me?O I am going to Edinburgh townA rich wedding for to see!’
16
‘Why weep ye so, ye burgess-wives,
Why look ye so on me?
O I am going to Edinburgh town
A rich wedding for to see!’
17When she gaed up the Tolbooth stairs,The corks frae her heels did flee;And lang or eer she cam down againShe was condemnd to die.
17
When she gaed up the Tolbooth stairs,
The corks frae her heels did flee;
And lang or eer she cam down again
She was condemnd to die.
18When she cam to the Netherbow Port,She laughed loud laughters three;But when she cam to the gallows-foot,The tears blinded her ee.
18
When she cam to the Netherbow Port,
She laughed loud laughters three;
But when she cam to the gallows-foot,
The tears blinded her ee.
19‘Yestreen the queen had four Maries,The night she’ll hae but three;There was Marie Seaton, and Marie Beaton,And Marie Carmichael, and me.
19
‘Yestreen the queen had four Maries,
The night she’ll hae but three;
There was Marie Seaton, and Marie Beaton,
And Marie Carmichael, and me.
20‘O often have I dressd my queen,And put gold upon her hair;But now I’ve gotten for my rewardThe gallows to be my share.
20
‘O often have I dressd my queen,
And put gold upon her hair;
But now I’ve gotten for my reward
The gallows to be my share.
21‘Often have I dressd my queen,And often made her bed;But now I’ve gotten for my rewardThe gallows-tree to tread.
21
‘Often have I dressd my queen,
And often made her bed;
But now I’ve gotten for my reward
The gallows-tree to tread.
22‘I charge ye all, ye mariners,When ye sail ower the faem,Let neither my father nor mother get witBut that I’m coming hame!
22
‘I charge ye all, ye mariners,
When ye sail ower the faem,
Let neither my father nor mother get wit
But that I’m coming hame!
23‘I charge ye all, ye mariners,That sail upon the sea,Let neither my father nor mother get witThis dog’s death I’m to die!
23
‘I charge ye all, ye mariners,
That sail upon the sea,
Let neither my father nor mother get wit
This dog’s death I’m to die!
24‘For if my father and mother got wit,And my bold brethren three,O mickle wad be the gude red bludeThis day wad be spilt for me!
24
‘For if my father and mother got wit,
And my bold brethren three,
O mickle wad be the gude red blude
This day wad be spilt for me!
25‘O little did my mother ken,That day she cradled me,The lands I was to travel in,Or the death I was to die!’
25
‘O little did my mother ken,
That day she cradled me,
The lands I was to travel in,
Or the death I was to die!’
Harris MS., fol. 10 b; “Mrs Harris and others.”
1My mother was a proud, proud woman,A proud, proud woman and a bold;She sent me to Queen Marie’s bour,When scarcely eleven years old.2Queen Marie’s bread it was sae sweet,An her wine it was sae fine,That I hae lien in a young man’s arms,An I rued it aye synsyne.3Queen Marie she cam doon the stair,Wi the goud kamis in her hair:‘Oh whare, oh whare is the wee wee babeI heard greetin sae sair?’4‘It’s no a babe, a babie fair,Nor ever intends to be;But I mysel, wi a sair colic,Was seek an like to dee.’5They socht the bed baith up an doon,Frae the pillow to the straw,An there they got the wee wee babe,But its life was far awa.6‘Come doon, come doon, Marie Hamilton,Come doon an speak to me;. . . . . . .. . . . . . .7‘You’ll no put on your dowie black,Nor yet your dowie broun;But you’ll put on your ried, ried silk,To shine through Edinborough toun.’* * * * *8‘Yestreen the queen had four Maries,The nicht she’ll hae but three;There was Marie Bethune, an Marie Seaton,An Marie Carmichael, an me.9‘Ah, little did my mother ken,The day she cradled me,The lands that I sud travel in,An the death that I suld dee.’10Yestreen the queen had four Maries,The nicht she has but three;For the bonniest Marie amang them a’Was hanged upon a tree.
1My mother was a proud, proud woman,A proud, proud woman and a bold;She sent me to Queen Marie’s bour,When scarcely eleven years old.2Queen Marie’s bread it was sae sweet,An her wine it was sae fine,That I hae lien in a young man’s arms,An I rued it aye synsyne.3Queen Marie she cam doon the stair,Wi the goud kamis in her hair:‘Oh whare, oh whare is the wee wee babeI heard greetin sae sair?’4‘It’s no a babe, a babie fair,Nor ever intends to be;But I mysel, wi a sair colic,Was seek an like to dee.’5They socht the bed baith up an doon,Frae the pillow to the straw,An there they got the wee wee babe,But its life was far awa.6‘Come doon, come doon, Marie Hamilton,Come doon an speak to me;. . . . . . .. . . . . . .7‘You’ll no put on your dowie black,Nor yet your dowie broun;But you’ll put on your ried, ried silk,To shine through Edinborough toun.’* * * * *8‘Yestreen the queen had four Maries,The nicht she’ll hae but three;There was Marie Bethune, an Marie Seaton,An Marie Carmichael, an me.9‘Ah, little did my mother ken,The day she cradled me,The lands that I sud travel in,An the death that I suld dee.’10Yestreen the queen had four Maries,The nicht she has but three;For the bonniest Marie amang them a’Was hanged upon a tree.
1My mother was a proud, proud woman,A proud, proud woman and a bold;She sent me to Queen Marie’s bour,When scarcely eleven years old.
1
My mother was a proud, proud woman,
A proud, proud woman and a bold;
She sent me to Queen Marie’s bour,
When scarcely eleven years old.
2Queen Marie’s bread it was sae sweet,An her wine it was sae fine,That I hae lien in a young man’s arms,An I rued it aye synsyne.
2
Queen Marie’s bread it was sae sweet,
An her wine it was sae fine,
That I hae lien in a young man’s arms,
An I rued it aye synsyne.
3Queen Marie she cam doon the stair,Wi the goud kamis in her hair:‘Oh whare, oh whare is the wee wee babeI heard greetin sae sair?’
3
Queen Marie she cam doon the stair,
Wi the goud kamis in her hair:
‘Oh whare, oh whare is the wee wee babe
I heard greetin sae sair?’
4‘It’s no a babe, a babie fair,Nor ever intends to be;But I mysel, wi a sair colic,Was seek an like to dee.’
4
‘It’s no a babe, a babie fair,
Nor ever intends to be;
But I mysel, wi a sair colic,
Was seek an like to dee.’
5They socht the bed baith up an doon,Frae the pillow to the straw,An there they got the wee wee babe,But its life was far awa.
5
They socht the bed baith up an doon,
Frae the pillow to the straw,
An there they got the wee wee babe,
But its life was far awa.
6‘Come doon, come doon, Marie Hamilton,Come doon an speak to me;. . . . . . .. . . . . . .
6
‘Come doon, come doon, Marie Hamilton,
Come doon an speak to me;
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
7‘You’ll no put on your dowie black,Nor yet your dowie broun;But you’ll put on your ried, ried silk,To shine through Edinborough toun.’
7
‘You’ll no put on your dowie black,
Nor yet your dowie broun;
But you’ll put on your ried, ried silk,
To shine through Edinborough toun.’
* * * * *
* * * * *
8‘Yestreen the queen had four Maries,The nicht she’ll hae but three;There was Marie Bethune, an Marie Seaton,An Marie Carmichael, an me.
8
‘Yestreen the queen had four Maries,
The nicht she’ll hae but three;
There was Marie Bethune, an Marie Seaton,
An Marie Carmichael, an me.
9‘Ah, little did my mother ken,The day she cradled me,The lands that I sud travel in,An the death that I suld dee.’
9
‘Ah, little did my mother ken,
The day she cradled me,
The lands that I sud travel in,
An the death that I suld dee.’
10Yestreen the queen had four Maries,The nicht she has but three;For the bonniest Marie amang them a’Was hanged upon a tree.
10
Yestreen the queen had four Maries,
The nicht she has but three;
For the bonniest Marie amang them a’
Was hanged upon a tree.
Motherwell’s MS., p. 96; from Jean Macqueen, Largs.
1Queen Mary had four serving-maids,As braw as braw could be,But ane o them has fa’n wi bairn,And for it she maun die.2But whan the babie it was born,A troubled woman was she;She rowed it up in a handkerchief,And flang it in the sea.3Out then spoke a bonnie wee burd,And it spak sharp and keen:‘O what did ye do wi your wee babie,Ye had in your arms yestreen?’4‘O I tyed it up in a napkin,And flang it in the sea;I bade it sink, I bade it soom,‘Twad get nae mair o me.’5Out and spak King Henrie,And an angry man was he:‘A’for the drowning o that wee babeHigh hanged ye shall be.’* * * * *6‘I’ll no put on a goun o black,Nor yet a goun o green,But I’ll put on a goun o gowd,To glance in young men’s een.7‘O gin ye meet my father or mother,Ye may tell them frae me,’Twas for the sake o a wee wee bairnThat I came here to die.8‘Yestreen four Maries made Queen Mary’s bed,This nicht there’ll be but three,A Mary Beaton, a Mary Seaton,A Mary Carmichael, and me.9‘O what will my three brithers say,When they come hame frae see,When they see three locks o my yellow hairHinging under a gallows-tree!’
1Queen Mary had four serving-maids,As braw as braw could be,But ane o them has fa’n wi bairn,And for it she maun die.2But whan the babie it was born,A troubled woman was she;She rowed it up in a handkerchief,And flang it in the sea.3Out then spoke a bonnie wee burd,And it spak sharp and keen:‘O what did ye do wi your wee babie,Ye had in your arms yestreen?’4‘O I tyed it up in a napkin,And flang it in the sea;I bade it sink, I bade it soom,‘Twad get nae mair o me.’5Out and spak King Henrie,And an angry man was he:‘A’for the drowning o that wee babeHigh hanged ye shall be.’* * * * *6‘I’ll no put on a goun o black,Nor yet a goun o green,But I’ll put on a goun o gowd,To glance in young men’s een.7‘O gin ye meet my father or mother,Ye may tell them frae me,’Twas for the sake o a wee wee bairnThat I came here to die.8‘Yestreen four Maries made Queen Mary’s bed,This nicht there’ll be but three,A Mary Beaton, a Mary Seaton,A Mary Carmichael, and me.9‘O what will my three brithers say,When they come hame frae see,When they see three locks o my yellow hairHinging under a gallows-tree!’
1Queen Mary had four serving-maids,As braw as braw could be,But ane o them has fa’n wi bairn,And for it she maun die.
1
Queen Mary had four serving-maids,
As braw as braw could be,
But ane o them has fa’n wi bairn,
And for it she maun die.
2But whan the babie it was born,A troubled woman was she;She rowed it up in a handkerchief,And flang it in the sea.
2
But whan the babie it was born,
A troubled woman was she;
She rowed it up in a handkerchief,
And flang it in the sea.
3Out then spoke a bonnie wee burd,And it spak sharp and keen:‘O what did ye do wi your wee babie,Ye had in your arms yestreen?’
3
Out then spoke a bonnie wee burd,
And it spak sharp and keen:
‘O what did ye do wi your wee babie,
Ye had in your arms yestreen?’
4‘O I tyed it up in a napkin,And flang it in the sea;I bade it sink, I bade it soom,‘Twad get nae mair o me.’
4
‘O I tyed it up in a napkin,
And flang it in the sea;
I bade it sink, I bade it soom,
‘Twad get nae mair o me.’
5Out and spak King Henrie,And an angry man was he:‘A’for the drowning o that wee babeHigh hanged ye shall be.’
5
Out and spak King Henrie,
And an angry man was he:
‘A’for the drowning o that wee babe
High hanged ye shall be.’
* * * * *
* * * * *
6‘I’ll no put on a goun o black,Nor yet a goun o green,But I’ll put on a goun o gowd,To glance in young men’s een.
6
‘I’ll no put on a goun o black,
Nor yet a goun o green,
But I’ll put on a goun o gowd,
To glance in young men’s een.
7‘O gin ye meet my father or mother,Ye may tell them frae me,’Twas for the sake o a wee wee bairnThat I came here to die.
7
‘O gin ye meet my father or mother,
Ye may tell them frae me,
’Twas for the sake o a wee wee bairn
That I came here to die.
8‘Yestreen four Maries made Queen Mary’s bed,This nicht there’ll be but three,A Mary Beaton, a Mary Seaton,A Mary Carmichael, and me.
8
‘Yestreen four Maries made Queen Mary’s bed,
This nicht there’ll be but three,
A Mary Beaton, a Mary Seaton,
A Mary Carmichael, and me.
9‘O what will my three brithers say,When they come hame frae see,When they see three locks o my yellow hairHinging under a gallows-tree!’
9
‘O what will my three brithers say,
When they come hame frae see,
When they see three locks o my yellow hair
Hinging under a gallows-tree!’
Motherwell’s MS., p. 280; from the recitation of Mrs Trail of Paisley.
1Doun and cam the queen hersell,Wi the goud links in her hair:‘O what did you do wi the braw lad bairnThat I heard greet sae sair?’2‘There was never a babe into my room,Nor ever intends to be;It was but a fit o the sair colic,That was like to gar me die.’3Doun and cam the king himsell,And an angry man was he:‘If ye had saved that braw child’s life,It might hae been an honour to thee.’4They socht the chamer up and doun,And in below the bed,And there they fand a braw lad-bairnLying lapperin in his blood.5She rowed it up in her apron green,And threw it in the sea:‘Een sink or swim, you braw lad bairn!Ye’ll neer get mair o me.’* * * * *6When she gaed up the Cannogate,She gied loud lauchters three;But or she cam to the Cowgate HeadThe tears did blind her ee.7‘Come a’ye jovial sailors,That sail upon the sea,Tell neither my father nor motherThe death that I’m to die!8‘Come a’ye jovial sailors,That sail upon the main,See that ye tell baith my father and motherThat I’m coming sailing hame!9‘My father he’s the Duke of York,And my mother’s a gay ladie,And I mysell a pretty fair lady,And the king fell in love with me.’
1Doun and cam the queen hersell,Wi the goud links in her hair:‘O what did you do wi the braw lad bairnThat I heard greet sae sair?’2‘There was never a babe into my room,Nor ever intends to be;It was but a fit o the sair colic,That was like to gar me die.’3Doun and cam the king himsell,And an angry man was he:‘If ye had saved that braw child’s life,It might hae been an honour to thee.’4They socht the chamer up and doun,And in below the bed,And there they fand a braw lad-bairnLying lapperin in his blood.5She rowed it up in her apron green,And threw it in the sea:‘Een sink or swim, you braw lad bairn!Ye’ll neer get mair o me.’* * * * *6When she gaed up the Cannogate,She gied loud lauchters three;But or she cam to the Cowgate HeadThe tears did blind her ee.7‘Come a’ye jovial sailors,That sail upon the sea,Tell neither my father nor motherThe death that I’m to die!8‘Come a’ye jovial sailors,That sail upon the main,See that ye tell baith my father and motherThat I’m coming sailing hame!9‘My father he’s the Duke of York,And my mother’s a gay ladie,And I mysell a pretty fair lady,And the king fell in love with me.’
1Doun and cam the queen hersell,Wi the goud links in her hair:‘O what did you do wi the braw lad bairnThat I heard greet sae sair?’
1
Doun and cam the queen hersell,
Wi the goud links in her hair:
‘O what did you do wi the braw lad bairn
That I heard greet sae sair?’
2‘There was never a babe into my room,Nor ever intends to be;It was but a fit o the sair colic,That was like to gar me die.’
2
‘There was never a babe into my room,
Nor ever intends to be;
It was but a fit o the sair colic,
That was like to gar me die.’
3Doun and cam the king himsell,And an angry man was he:‘If ye had saved that braw child’s life,It might hae been an honour to thee.’
3
Doun and cam the king himsell,
And an angry man was he:
‘If ye had saved that braw child’s life,
It might hae been an honour to thee.’
4They socht the chamer up and doun,And in below the bed,And there they fand a braw lad-bairnLying lapperin in his blood.
4
They socht the chamer up and doun,
And in below the bed,
And there they fand a braw lad-bairn
Lying lapperin in his blood.
5She rowed it up in her apron green,And threw it in the sea:‘Een sink or swim, you braw lad bairn!Ye’ll neer get mair o me.’
5
She rowed it up in her apron green,
And threw it in the sea:
‘Een sink or swim, you braw lad bairn!
Ye’ll neer get mair o me.’
* * * * *
* * * * *
6When she gaed up the Cannogate,She gied loud lauchters three;But or she cam to the Cowgate HeadThe tears did blind her ee.
6
When she gaed up the Cannogate,
She gied loud lauchters three;
But or she cam to the Cowgate Head
The tears did blind her ee.
7‘Come a’ye jovial sailors,That sail upon the sea,Tell neither my father nor motherThe death that I’m to die!
7
‘Come a’ye jovial sailors,
That sail upon the sea,
Tell neither my father nor mother
The death that I’m to die!
8‘Come a’ye jovial sailors,That sail upon the main,See that ye tell baith my father and motherThat I’m coming sailing hame!
8
‘Come a’ye jovial sailors,
That sail upon the main,
See that ye tell baith my father and mother
That I’m coming sailing hame!
9‘My father he’s the Duke of York,And my mother’s a gay ladie,And I mysell a pretty fair lady,And the king fell in love with me.’
9
‘My father he’s the Duke of York,
And my mother’s a gay ladie,
And I mysell a pretty fair lady,
And the king fell in love with me.’
Maidment’s North Countrie Garland, p. 19.
1Then down cam Queen Marie,Wi gold links in her hair,Saying, Marie Mild, where is the child,That I heard greet sae sair?2‘There was nae child wi me, madam,There was nae child wi me;It was but me in a sair cholic,When I was like to die.’3‘I’m not deceived,’ Queen Marie said,‘No, no, indeed not I!So Marie Mild, where is the child?For sure I heard it cry.’4She turned down the blankets fine,Likewise the Holland sheet,And underneath, there strangled layA lovely baby sweet.5‘O cruel mother,’ said the queen,‘Some fiend possessed thee;But I will hang thee for this deed,My Marie tho thou be!’* * * * *6When she cam to the Netherbow PortShe laught loud laughters three;But when she cam to the gallows-foot,The saut tear blinded her ee.7‘Yestreen the Queen had four Maries,The night she’ll hae but three;There was Marie Seton, and Marie Beaton,And Marie Carmichael, and me.8‘Ye mariners, ye mariners,That sail upon the sea,Let not my father or mother witThe death that I maun die!9‘I was my parents’ only hope,They neer had ane but me;They little thought when I left hame,They should nae mair me see!’
1Then down cam Queen Marie,Wi gold links in her hair,Saying, Marie Mild, where is the child,That I heard greet sae sair?2‘There was nae child wi me, madam,There was nae child wi me;It was but me in a sair cholic,When I was like to die.’3‘I’m not deceived,’ Queen Marie said,‘No, no, indeed not I!So Marie Mild, where is the child?For sure I heard it cry.’4She turned down the blankets fine,Likewise the Holland sheet,And underneath, there strangled layA lovely baby sweet.5‘O cruel mother,’ said the queen,‘Some fiend possessed thee;But I will hang thee for this deed,My Marie tho thou be!’* * * * *6When she cam to the Netherbow PortShe laught loud laughters three;But when she cam to the gallows-foot,The saut tear blinded her ee.7‘Yestreen the Queen had four Maries,The night she’ll hae but three;There was Marie Seton, and Marie Beaton,And Marie Carmichael, and me.8‘Ye mariners, ye mariners,That sail upon the sea,Let not my father or mother witThe death that I maun die!9‘I was my parents’ only hope,They neer had ane but me;They little thought when I left hame,They should nae mair me see!’
1Then down cam Queen Marie,Wi gold links in her hair,Saying, Marie Mild, where is the child,That I heard greet sae sair?
1
Then down cam Queen Marie,
Wi gold links in her hair,
Saying, Marie Mild, where is the child,
That I heard greet sae sair?
2‘There was nae child wi me, madam,There was nae child wi me;It was but me in a sair cholic,When I was like to die.’
2
‘There was nae child wi me, madam,
There was nae child wi me;
It was but me in a sair cholic,
When I was like to die.’
3‘I’m not deceived,’ Queen Marie said,‘No, no, indeed not I!So Marie Mild, where is the child?For sure I heard it cry.’
3
‘I’m not deceived,’ Queen Marie said,
‘No, no, indeed not I!
So Marie Mild, where is the child?
For sure I heard it cry.’
4She turned down the blankets fine,Likewise the Holland sheet,And underneath, there strangled layA lovely baby sweet.
4
She turned down the blankets fine,
Likewise the Holland sheet,
And underneath, there strangled lay
A lovely baby sweet.
5‘O cruel mother,’ said the queen,‘Some fiend possessed thee;But I will hang thee for this deed,My Marie tho thou be!’
5
‘O cruel mother,’ said the queen,
‘Some fiend possessed thee;
But I will hang thee for this deed,
My Marie tho thou be!’
* * * * *
* * * * *
6When she cam to the Netherbow PortShe laught loud laughters three;But when she cam to the gallows-foot,The saut tear blinded her ee.
6
When she cam to the Netherbow Port
She laught loud laughters three;
But when she cam to the gallows-foot,
The saut tear blinded her ee.
7‘Yestreen the Queen had four Maries,The night she’ll hae but three;There was Marie Seton, and Marie Beaton,And Marie Carmichael, and me.
7
‘Yestreen the Queen had four Maries,
The night she’ll hae but three;
There was Marie Seton, and Marie Beaton,
And Marie Carmichael, and me.
8‘Ye mariners, ye mariners,That sail upon the sea,Let not my father or mother witThe death that I maun die!
8
‘Ye mariners, ye mariners,
That sail upon the sea,
Let not my father or mother wit
The death that I maun die!
9‘I was my parents’ only hope,They neer had ane but me;They little thought when I left hame,They should nae mair me see!’
9
‘I was my parents’ only hope,
They neer had ane but me;
They little thought when I left hame,
They should nae mair me see!’
Murison MS., p. 33; from recitation at Old Deer, 1876.
1The streen the queen had four Maries,This nicht she’ll hae but three;There’s Mary Heaton, an Mary Beaton,An Mary Michel, an me,An I mysel was Mary Mild,An flower oer a’the three.2Mary’s middle was aye sae neat,An her clothing aye sae fine,It caused her lie in a young man’s airms,An she’s ruet it aye sin syne.3She done her doon yon garden green,To pull the deceivin tree,For to keep back that young man’s bairn,But forward it would be.4‘Ye winna put on the dowie black,Nor yet will ye the broon,But ye’ll put on the robes o red,To shine through Edinburgh toon.’5She hasna pitten on the dowie black,Nor yet has she the broon,But she’s pitten on the robes o red,To shine thro Edinburgh toon.6When she came to the mariners’ toon,The mariners they were playin,. . . . . . .. . . . . . .7‘Ye needna play for me, mariners,Ye needna play for me;Ye never saw grace in a graceless face,For there’s nane therein to be.8‘Seven years an I made Queen Mary’s bed,Seven years an I combed her hair,An a hansome reward noo she’s gien to me,Gien me the gallows-tows to wear!9‘Oh little did my mither think,The day she cradled me,What road I’d hae to travel in,Or what death I’d hae to dee!’
1The streen the queen had four Maries,This nicht she’ll hae but three;There’s Mary Heaton, an Mary Beaton,An Mary Michel, an me,An I mysel was Mary Mild,An flower oer a’the three.2Mary’s middle was aye sae neat,An her clothing aye sae fine,It caused her lie in a young man’s airms,An she’s ruet it aye sin syne.3She done her doon yon garden green,To pull the deceivin tree,For to keep back that young man’s bairn,But forward it would be.4‘Ye winna put on the dowie black,Nor yet will ye the broon,But ye’ll put on the robes o red,To shine through Edinburgh toon.’5She hasna pitten on the dowie black,Nor yet has she the broon,But she’s pitten on the robes o red,To shine thro Edinburgh toon.6When she came to the mariners’ toon,The mariners they were playin,. . . . . . .. . . . . . .7‘Ye needna play for me, mariners,Ye needna play for me;Ye never saw grace in a graceless face,For there’s nane therein to be.8‘Seven years an I made Queen Mary’s bed,Seven years an I combed her hair,An a hansome reward noo she’s gien to me,Gien me the gallows-tows to wear!9‘Oh little did my mither think,The day she cradled me,What road I’d hae to travel in,Or what death I’d hae to dee!’
1The streen the queen had four Maries,This nicht she’ll hae but three;There’s Mary Heaton, an Mary Beaton,An Mary Michel, an me,An I mysel was Mary Mild,An flower oer a’the three.
1
The streen the queen had four Maries,
This nicht she’ll hae but three;
There’s Mary Heaton, an Mary Beaton,
An Mary Michel, an me,
An I mysel was Mary Mild,
An flower oer a’the three.
2Mary’s middle was aye sae neat,An her clothing aye sae fine,It caused her lie in a young man’s airms,An she’s ruet it aye sin syne.
2
Mary’s middle was aye sae neat,
An her clothing aye sae fine,
It caused her lie in a young man’s airms,
An she’s ruet it aye sin syne.
3She done her doon yon garden green,To pull the deceivin tree,For to keep back that young man’s bairn,But forward it would be.
3
She done her doon yon garden green,
To pull the deceivin tree,
For to keep back that young man’s bairn,
But forward it would be.
4‘Ye winna put on the dowie black,Nor yet will ye the broon,But ye’ll put on the robes o red,To shine through Edinburgh toon.’
4
‘Ye winna put on the dowie black,
Nor yet will ye the broon,
But ye’ll put on the robes o red,
To shine through Edinburgh toon.’
5She hasna pitten on the dowie black,Nor yet has she the broon,But she’s pitten on the robes o red,To shine thro Edinburgh toon.
5
She hasna pitten on the dowie black,
Nor yet has she the broon,
But she’s pitten on the robes o red,
To shine thro Edinburgh toon.
6When she came to the mariners’ toon,The mariners they were playin,. . . . . . .. . . . . . .
6
When she came to the mariners’ toon,
The mariners they were playin,
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
7‘Ye needna play for me, mariners,Ye needna play for me;Ye never saw grace in a graceless face,For there’s nane therein to be.
7
‘Ye needna play for me, mariners,
Ye needna play for me;
Ye never saw grace in a graceless face,
For there’s nane therein to be.
8‘Seven years an I made Queen Mary’s bed,Seven years an I combed her hair,An a hansome reward noo she’s gien to me,Gien me the gallows-tows to wear!
8
‘Seven years an I made Queen Mary’s bed,
Seven years an I combed her hair,
An a hansome reward noo she’s gien to me,
Gien me the gallows-tows to wear!
9‘Oh little did my mither think,The day she cradled me,What road I’d hae to travel in,Or what death I’d hae to dee!’
9
‘Oh little did my mither think,
The day she cradled me,
What road I’d hae to travel in,
Or what death I’d hae to dee!’
Finlay’s Scottish Ballads, I, xix, from recitation.
1There lived a lord into the south,And he had dochters three,And the youngest o them went to the king’s court,To learn some courtesie.2She rowd it in a wee wee clout. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .3She rowd it in a wee wee cloutAnd flang’t into the faem,Saying, Sink ye soon, my bonny babe!I’ll go a maiden hame.4‘O woe be to you, ye ill woman,An ill death may ye die!Gin ye had spared the sweet baby’s life,It might hae been an honour to thee.’5She wadna put on her gowns o black,Nor yet wad she o brown,But she wad put on her gowns o gowd,To glance through Embro town.6‘Come saddle not to me the black,’ she says,‘Nor yet to me the brown,But come saddle to me the milk-white steed,That I may ride in renown.’
1There lived a lord into the south,And he had dochters three,And the youngest o them went to the king’s court,To learn some courtesie.2She rowd it in a wee wee clout. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .3She rowd it in a wee wee cloutAnd flang’t into the faem,Saying, Sink ye soon, my bonny babe!I’ll go a maiden hame.4‘O woe be to you, ye ill woman,An ill death may ye die!Gin ye had spared the sweet baby’s life,It might hae been an honour to thee.’5She wadna put on her gowns o black,Nor yet wad she o brown,But she wad put on her gowns o gowd,To glance through Embro town.6‘Come saddle not to me the black,’ she says,‘Nor yet to me the brown,But come saddle to me the milk-white steed,That I may ride in renown.’
1There lived a lord into the south,And he had dochters three,And the youngest o them went to the king’s court,To learn some courtesie.
1
There lived a lord into the south,
And he had dochters three,
And the youngest o them went to the king’s court,
To learn some courtesie.
2She rowd it in a wee wee clout. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .
2
She rowd it in a wee wee clout
. . . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
3She rowd it in a wee wee cloutAnd flang’t into the faem,Saying, Sink ye soon, my bonny babe!I’ll go a maiden hame.
3
She rowd it in a wee wee clout
And flang’t into the faem,
Saying, Sink ye soon, my bonny babe!
I’ll go a maiden hame.
4‘O woe be to you, ye ill woman,An ill death may ye die!Gin ye had spared the sweet baby’s life,It might hae been an honour to thee.’
4
‘O woe be to you, ye ill woman,
An ill death may ye die!
Gin ye had spared the sweet baby’s life,
It might hae been an honour to thee.’
5She wadna put on her gowns o black,Nor yet wad she o brown,But she wad put on her gowns o gowd,To glance through Embro town.
5
She wadna put on her gowns o black,
Nor yet wad she o brown,
But she wad put on her gowns o gowd,
To glance through Embro town.
6‘Come saddle not to me the black,’ she says,‘Nor yet to me the brown,But come saddle to me the milk-white steed,That I may ride in renown.’
6
‘Come saddle not to me the black,’ she says,
‘Nor yet to me the brown,
But come saddle to me the milk-white steed,
That I may ride in renown.’
Kinloch’s MSS, VII, 95, 97.
My father’s the Duke of Argyll,My mither’s a lady gay,And I mysel am a dainty dame,And the king desired me.He schawd [me] up, he shawed me doun,He schawd me to the ha;He schawd me to the low cellars,And that was waurst of a’.
My father’s the Duke of Argyll,My mither’s a lady gay,And I mysel am a dainty dame,And the king desired me.He schawd [me] up, he shawed me doun,He schawd me to the ha;He schawd me to the low cellars,And that was waurst of a’.
My father’s the Duke of Argyll,My mither’s a lady gay,And I mysel am a dainty dame,And the king desired me.
My father’s the Duke of Argyll,
My mither’s a lady gay,
And I mysel am a dainty dame,
And the king desired me.
He schawd [me] up, he shawed me doun,He schawd me to the ha;He schawd me to the low cellars,And that was waurst of a’.
He schawd [me] up, he shawed me doun,
He schawd me to the ha;
He schawd me to the low cellars,
And that was waurst of a’.
Letters from and to Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, ed. Allardyce, 1888, II, 272, in a letter from Sharpe to W. Scott [1823].
1The Duke of York was my father,My mother a lady free,Myself a dainty damosell,Queen Marie sent for me.2The queen’s meat it was sae sweet,Her cleiding was sae rare,It gart me grien for sweet Willie,And I’ll rue it evermair.
1The Duke of York was my father,My mother a lady free,Myself a dainty damosell,Queen Marie sent for me.2The queen’s meat it was sae sweet,Her cleiding was sae rare,It gart me grien for sweet Willie,And I’ll rue it evermair.
1The Duke of York was my father,My mother a lady free,Myself a dainty damosell,Queen Marie sent for me.
1
The Duke of York was my father,
My mother a lady free,
Myself a dainty damosell,
Queen Marie sent for me.
2The queen’s meat it was sae sweet,Her cleiding was sae rare,It gart me grien for sweet Willie,And I’ll rue it evermair.
2
The queen’s meat it was sae sweet,
Her cleiding was sae rare,
It gart me grien for sweet Willie,
And I’ll rue it evermair.
Burns, in a letter to Mrs Dunlop, January 25, 1790; Currie, II, 290, 1800.
Little did my mother think,That day she cradled me,What land I was to travel in,Or what death I should die!
Little did my mother think,That day she cradled me,What land I was to travel in,Or what death I should die!
Little did my mother think,That day she cradled me,What land I was to travel in,Or what death I should die!
Little did my mother think,
That day she cradled me,
What land I was to travel in,
Or what death I should die!
A. b.
1.There’s news is gaen in the kitchen,There’s news is gaen in the ha,There’s news is gaen in the laigh cellar,And that was warst of a’.2.There’s news is gaen in the kitchen,There’s news is gaen in the ha’,That Mary Hamilton’s gotten a wean,And that was warst of a’.
1.There’s news is gaen in the kitchen,There’s news is gaen in the ha,There’s news is gaen in the laigh cellar,And that was warst of a’.2.There’s news is gaen in the kitchen,There’s news is gaen in the ha’,That Mary Hamilton’s gotten a wean,And that was warst of a’.
1.There’s news is gaen in the kitchen,There’s news is gaen in the ha,There’s news is gaen in the laigh cellar,And that was warst of a’.
1.
There’s news is gaen in the kitchen,
There’s news is gaen in the ha,
There’s news is gaen in the laigh cellar,
And that was warst of a’.
2.There’s news is gaen in the kitchen,There’s news is gaen in the ha’,That Mary Hamilton’s gotten a wean,And that was warst of a’.
2.
There’s news is gaen in the kitchen,
There’s news is gaen in the ha’,
That Mary Hamilton’s gotten a wean,
And that was warst of a’.
31. She’s rowed.
32. She’s cuist it.
33. My bonnie bairn ga sink or swim.
34. Ye’s no hear mair.
41. Then doon.
42. Wi tasslets.
43. Cri’n, M. H., whaur’s the bairn.
44. Thatwanting.
51. There’s no a bairn in a’ the toon.
52. Nor yet.
53. ’Twas but a steek in.
61. And ye maun.
64. And ye maun awa wi me the morn.
71. I’se no.
74. To see fair.
81. And when.
83. And when.
84. tear stood in.
91. And when.
92. heel slipped off.
93. And when she cam doon the Parliament stair.
10, 11wanting.
121. But bring: she cried.
131, 141. And here’s to the jolly sailor lad.
132, 142. sails: faem.
133. And let not my father nor mother get wit.
134. that I shall come again.
143. But let,as in133.
144. O the death that I maun dee.
15, 16wanting.
171. auld queen’s.
172. And I laid her gently.
173. I hae gotten the day.
174. Is to.
181. night the queen had.
182. This night she’ll hae.
184. M. Beton and M. Seton.
c.