173. hinderen.211. thy thy.
173. hinderen.
211. thy thy.
P. 239. Collated with a MS. of Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe’s, and with another copy of the same pieces, “North Country Ballads,†in Miscellanea Curiosa, Abbotsford Library.
Sharpe, p. 21.
12. all.13. away.14. Because.21. Out it.22. moonlighty.31,2. Hald.34. That shall be wedded.51. He has.52. itwanting.53. Says, Marry.61,2, 71,2, 101,2, 151,2. Hold.64. be married.73. dare not avow to marrying.74. she were.82. could not.83. are away.91. bells was.92. all men bound.101,2, 151,2. away from.103. I loss.123. Scallater.131. Says, Get.134. sure I am: as ye.141. fall.142. you could not.143. taken.144. kis[s]ed your hand.153. For there’s.154. that’s be wedded to me.161. in it came Belbardlane.163. Says, come away home.172. And get to me.174. came.182. and hey the light.Written in long lines, without division into stanzas.
12. all.
13. away.
14. Because.
21. Out it.
22. moonlighty.
31,2. Hald.
34. That shall be wedded.
51. He has.
52. itwanting.
53. Says, Marry.
61,2, 71,2, 101,2, 151,2. Hold.
64. be married.
73. dare not avow to marrying.
74. she were.
82. could not.
83. are away.
91. bells was.
92. all men bound.
101,2, 151,2. away from.
103. I loss.
123. Scallater.
131. Says, Get.
134. sure I am: as ye.
141. fall.
142. you could not.
143. taken.
144. kis[s]ed your hand.
153. For there’s.
154. that’s be wedded to me.
161. in it came Belbardlane.
163. Says, come away home.
172. And get to me.
174. came.
182. and hey the light.
Written in long lines, without division into stanzas.
Scott. Norriethroughout.
22. moonlight.163. homewanting.
22. moonlight.
163. homewanting.
P. 245.A.This version is No 9 of “The Old Lady’s Collection,†and was copied by Skene without much variation. The following original readings may be noted.
23. Or she.31. serundad.34. fra each other.64. to me has.74. Him sell beside her.81. came by Black.84. not be.101,2. Be contenttwice only.112, 122. ladywanting.121. land.122. for his.123. Anwanting.124. took them.131. hewanting.133. pound.141. Y’er.
23. Or she.
31. serundad.
34. fra each other.
64. to me has.
74. Him sell beside her.
81. came by Black.
84. not be.
101,2. Be contenttwice only.
112, 122. ladywanting.
121. land.
122. for his.
123. Anwanting.
124. took them.
131. hewanting.
133. pound.
141. Y’er.
249.E.In Sharpe’s small MS. volume, “Songs,†p. 42.
12. Cam to.21. It’s when.24. her to.53. hasted.73. criesforsighs.74. was laid behind.81. He says to her, etc., Oh, be.Readings fromA1, 2,are added, in a later hand, in the margin of1, 3.
12. Cam to.
21. It’s when.
24. her to.
53. hasted.
73. criesforsighs.
74. was laid behind.
81. He says to her, etc., Oh, be.
Readings fromA1, 2,are added, in a later hand, in the margin of1, 3.
From a copy formerly in the possession of Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, now belonging to Mr Macmath. The paper on which it is written has the water-mark 1822. This version closely resemblesCandK.
1Rob Roy’s from the Highlands comeDown to the Lowland border,And there he’s stole a fair lady away,To keep his house in order.2As he came in by Blackhill gate,Twenty men his arms did carry,And he has stole a fair lady away,On purpose hir to marry.3No tidings came unto the house,Nor none went in before him,Or else she had been run away,For she did still abhor him.4But with his men he surunded the house,Himself went in unto hir,And when that he had found her outHe profest how much he lovt hir.5‘O wilt thou be my dear?’ he says,‘O wilt thou be my hony?O wilt thou be my wedded wife?For I love you far better than ony.’6‘I will not be your dear,’ she says,‘I will not be your honey,I will not be your wedded wife;You love me for my money.’7But he hir drew amongst his crew,She holding by hir mother;With doleful cries and watry eyesThe parted from each other.8He gave hir no time for to dressAs brides do when the marry,But fast he hurried hir away,And rowd hir in his plaidy.9He set hir on a milk-white steed,Himself lept on behind hir,And he has carried hir away,Hir friends the could not find hir.10The lady’s cries were oftimes heard,But none durst venture to hir;She gaurded was on every side,Hir friends could not rescue hir.11As the went over hills and rocks,The lady oftimes fainted;Cries, Wo be to my curst mony,These roads to me invented.12As the came in by Drummond townAnd at Bachannan tarried,He bought to her a cloak and gown,Yet wad she not be married.13And when she came the priest beforeHe askd if she would marry,But the parson’s zeal it was so hotFor her will he did not tarry.14Four held hir up before the priest,Tow laid hir in hir bed, O,But still she cried, with watry eyes,When she was by him laid O.15‘Now you’r to the Highlands come,Out of your native clime, lady,Never think of going back,But tak it for your hame, lady.16‘Be content, be content,Be content to stay, lady,Now you are my wedded wife,Until your dying day, lady.17‘Rob Roy was my father calld,McGregor was his name, lady,And all the country where he dweltNone could exceed his fame, lady.18‘I’ll be kind, I’ll be kind,I’ll be kind to thee, lady,A’ thy kindred for thy sakeShall truly favoured be, lady.19‘My father reignd as Highland king,And ruled at his will, lady,There was nether lord nor dukeDurst do him ony ill, lady.20‘Ay through time, ay through time,Ay through time was he, lady,Filled was w[ith] sweet revengeOn a’ his enemys, lady.21‘He was a hedge about his friends,A heckle till his foes, lady,And every ane that did him rang,He took them oer the nose, lady.22‘I’m as bold, I’m as bold,[As bold] as forest boar, lady,Every ane that does thee rangShall feell my stell claymore, lady.23‘Neer a man from Highlands cameThat ever did him dare, lady,But if those persons did escapeHe sized upon there gear, lady.Ay through time, etc.24‘My father dealt in horse and cows,But thou in goats and sheep, lady,Thre and twenty thousand merkMakes me a man complete, lady.Be content, etc.25‘Of all the exploits my father didI do him now outshine, lady;He never took a prize in ’s lifeWith sic a face as thine, lady.’
1Rob Roy’s from the Highlands comeDown to the Lowland border,And there he’s stole a fair lady away,To keep his house in order.2As he came in by Blackhill gate,Twenty men his arms did carry,And he has stole a fair lady away,On purpose hir to marry.3No tidings came unto the house,Nor none went in before him,Or else she had been run away,For she did still abhor him.4But with his men he surunded the house,Himself went in unto hir,And when that he had found her outHe profest how much he lovt hir.5‘O wilt thou be my dear?’ he says,‘O wilt thou be my hony?O wilt thou be my wedded wife?For I love you far better than ony.’6‘I will not be your dear,’ she says,‘I will not be your honey,I will not be your wedded wife;You love me for my money.’7But he hir drew amongst his crew,She holding by hir mother;With doleful cries and watry eyesThe parted from each other.8He gave hir no time for to dressAs brides do when the marry,But fast he hurried hir away,And rowd hir in his plaidy.9He set hir on a milk-white steed,Himself lept on behind hir,And he has carried hir away,Hir friends the could not find hir.10The lady’s cries were oftimes heard,But none durst venture to hir;She gaurded was on every side,Hir friends could not rescue hir.11As the went over hills and rocks,The lady oftimes fainted;Cries, Wo be to my curst mony,These roads to me invented.12As the came in by Drummond townAnd at Bachannan tarried,He bought to her a cloak and gown,Yet wad she not be married.13And when she came the priest beforeHe askd if she would marry,But the parson’s zeal it was so hotFor her will he did not tarry.14Four held hir up before the priest,Tow laid hir in hir bed, O,But still she cried, with watry eyes,When she was by him laid O.15‘Now you’r to the Highlands come,Out of your native clime, lady,Never think of going back,But tak it for your hame, lady.16‘Be content, be content,Be content to stay, lady,Now you are my wedded wife,Until your dying day, lady.17‘Rob Roy was my father calld,McGregor was his name, lady,And all the country where he dweltNone could exceed his fame, lady.18‘I’ll be kind, I’ll be kind,I’ll be kind to thee, lady,A’ thy kindred for thy sakeShall truly favoured be, lady.19‘My father reignd as Highland king,And ruled at his will, lady,There was nether lord nor dukeDurst do him ony ill, lady.20‘Ay through time, ay through time,Ay through time was he, lady,Filled was w[ith] sweet revengeOn a’ his enemys, lady.21‘He was a hedge about his friends,A heckle till his foes, lady,And every ane that did him rang,He took them oer the nose, lady.22‘I’m as bold, I’m as bold,[As bold] as forest boar, lady,Every ane that does thee rangShall feell my stell claymore, lady.23‘Neer a man from Highlands cameThat ever did him dare, lady,But if those persons did escapeHe sized upon there gear, lady.Ay through time, etc.24‘My father dealt in horse and cows,But thou in goats and sheep, lady,Thre and twenty thousand merkMakes me a man complete, lady.Be content, etc.25‘Of all the exploits my father didI do him now outshine, lady;He never took a prize in ’s lifeWith sic a face as thine, lady.’
1Rob Roy’s from the Highlands comeDown to the Lowland border,And there he’s stole a fair lady away,To keep his house in order.
1
Rob Roy’s from the Highlands come
Down to the Lowland border,
And there he’s stole a fair lady away,
To keep his house in order.
2As he came in by Blackhill gate,Twenty men his arms did carry,And he has stole a fair lady away,On purpose hir to marry.
2
As he came in by Blackhill gate,
Twenty men his arms did carry,
And he has stole a fair lady away,
On purpose hir to marry.
3No tidings came unto the house,Nor none went in before him,Or else she had been run away,For she did still abhor him.
3
No tidings came unto the house,
Nor none went in before him,
Or else she had been run away,
For she did still abhor him.
4But with his men he surunded the house,Himself went in unto hir,And when that he had found her outHe profest how much he lovt hir.
4
But with his men he surunded the house,
Himself went in unto hir,
And when that he had found her out
He profest how much he lovt hir.
5‘O wilt thou be my dear?’ he says,‘O wilt thou be my hony?O wilt thou be my wedded wife?For I love you far better than ony.’
5
‘O wilt thou be my dear?’ he says,
‘O wilt thou be my hony?
O wilt thou be my wedded wife?
For I love you far better than ony.’
6‘I will not be your dear,’ she says,‘I will not be your honey,I will not be your wedded wife;You love me for my money.’
6
‘I will not be your dear,’ she says,
‘I will not be your honey,
I will not be your wedded wife;
You love me for my money.’
7But he hir drew amongst his crew,She holding by hir mother;With doleful cries and watry eyesThe parted from each other.
7
But he hir drew amongst his crew,
She holding by hir mother;
With doleful cries and watry eyes
The parted from each other.
8He gave hir no time for to dressAs brides do when the marry,But fast he hurried hir away,And rowd hir in his plaidy.
8
He gave hir no time for to dress
As brides do when the marry,
But fast he hurried hir away,
And rowd hir in his plaidy.
9He set hir on a milk-white steed,Himself lept on behind hir,And he has carried hir away,Hir friends the could not find hir.
9
He set hir on a milk-white steed,
Himself lept on behind hir,
And he has carried hir away,
Hir friends the could not find hir.
10The lady’s cries were oftimes heard,But none durst venture to hir;She gaurded was on every side,Hir friends could not rescue hir.
10
The lady’s cries were oftimes heard,
But none durst venture to hir;
She gaurded was on every side,
Hir friends could not rescue hir.
11As the went over hills and rocks,The lady oftimes fainted;Cries, Wo be to my curst mony,These roads to me invented.
11
As the went over hills and rocks,
The lady oftimes fainted;
Cries, Wo be to my curst mony,
These roads to me invented.
12As the came in by Drummond townAnd at Bachannan tarried,He bought to her a cloak and gown,Yet wad she not be married.
12
As the came in by Drummond town
And at Bachannan tarried,
He bought to her a cloak and gown,
Yet wad she not be married.
13And when she came the priest beforeHe askd if she would marry,But the parson’s zeal it was so hotFor her will he did not tarry.
13
And when she came the priest before
He askd if she would marry,
But the parson’s zeal it was so hot
For her will he did not tarry.
14Four held hir up before the priest,Tow laid hir in hir bed, O,But still she cried, with watry eyes,When she was by him laid O.
14
Four held hir up before the priest,
Tow laid hir in hir bed, O,
But still she cried, with watry eyes,
When she was by him laid O.
15‘Now you’r to the Highlands come,Out of your native clime, lady,Never think of going back,But tak it for your hame, lady.
15
‘Now you’r to the Highlands come,
Out of your native clime, lady,
Never think of going back,
But tak it for your hame, lady.
16‘Be content, be content,Be content to stay, lady,Now you are my wedded wife,Until your dying day, lady.
16
‘Be content, be content,
Be content to stay, lady,
Now you are my wedded wife,
Until your dying day, lady.
17‘Rob Roy was my father calld,McGregor was his name, lady,And all the country where he dweltNone could exceed his fame, lady.
17
‘Rob Roy was my father calld,
McGregor was his name, lady,
And all the country where he dwelt
None could exceed his fame, lady.
18‘I’ll be kind, I’ll be kind,I’ll be kind to thee, lady,A’ thy kindred for thy sakeShall truly favoured be, lady.
18
‘I’ll be kind, I’ll be kind,
I’ll be kind to thee, lady,
A’ thy kindred for thy sake
Shall truly favoured be, lady.
19‘My father reignd as Highland king,And ruled at his will, lady,There was nether lord nor dukeDurst do him ony ill, lady.
19
‘My father reignd as Highland king,
And ruled at his will, lady,
There was nether lord nor duke
Durst do him ony ill, lady.
20‘Ay through time, ay through time,Ay through time was he, lady,Filled was w[ith] sweet revengeOn a’ his enemys, lady.
20
‘Ay through time, ay through time,
Ay through time was he, lady,
Filled was w[ith] sweet revenge
On a’ his enemys, lady.
21‘He was a hedge about his friends,A heckle till his foes, lady,And every ane that did him rang,He took them oer the nose, lady.
21
‘He was a hedge about his friends,
A heckle till his foes, lady,
And every ane that did him rang,
He took them oer the nose, lady.
22‘I’m as bold, I’m as bold,[As bold] as forest boar, lady,Every ane that does thee rangShall feell my stell claymore, lady.
22
‘I’m as bold, I’m as bold,
[As bold] as forest boar, lady,
Every ane that does thee rang
Shall feell my stell claymore, lady.
23‘Neer a man from Highlands cameThat ever did him dare, lady,But if those persons did escapeHe sized upon there gear, lady.Ay through time, etc.
23
‘Neer a man from Highlands came
That ever did him dare, lady,
But if those persons did escape
He sized upon there gear, lady.
Ay through time, etc.
24‘My father dealt in horse and cows,But thou in goats and sheep, lady,Thre and twenty thousand merkMakes me a man complete, lady.Be content, etc.
24
‘My father dealt in horse and cows,
But thou in goats and sheep, lady,
Thre and twenty thousand merk
Makes me a man complete, lady.
Be content, etc.
25‘Of all the exploits my father didI do him now outshine, lady;He never took a prize in ’s lifeWith sic a face as thine, lady.’
25
‘Of all the exploits my father did
I do him now outshine, lady;
He never took a prize in ’s life
With sic a face as thine, lady.’
Title: Old Song, Rob Roy. Tune, Jonny Fa, the Gipsy Laddy.After14. Tune, Had away frae me, Donald.
Title: Old Song, Rob Roy. Tune, Jonny Fa, the Gipsy Laddy.
After14. Tune, Had away frae me, Donald.
Here may be added, as an appendix, a fragment of a ballad on the “Abduction of Nelly Symon.†“The chorus is in Gaelic and the song is sung to one of the finest native airs.†From The Aberdeen Herald and Weekly Free Press, February 3, 1883.
1They hoised her up upon a mare;It was not for her gowd nor gear;’T was for her beauty, keen and rare,That they stealt Ellen Symon.Se ho or so gur tallum tallum,Se ho or so gur e so hallum;Bheir mis ma chinteach ghuds gur tallum,Chaileig, Eilie Symon.2Her father made a bow o bere,Her uncle he gae twa pound mair,To hang the rogue he vowed and swareThat stealt his Ellen Symon.3When they came on till Allanqooich,They drank the whisky oot o a quaich,And ilka are was blythe eneuch,But wae was Ellen Symon.4When they came to the brig o Don,Peter swore he would move on;Says Charlie, Lad, ye sanna win,For my brave Ellen Symon.
1They hoised her up upon a mare;It was not for her gowd nor gear;’T was for her beauty, keen and rare,That they stealt Ellen Symon.Se ho or so gur tallum tallum,Se ho or so gur e so hallum;Bheir mis ma chinteach ghuds gur tallum,Chaileig, Eilie Symon.2Her father made a bow o bere,Her uncle he gae twa pound mair,To hang the rogue he vowed and swareThat stealt his Ellen Symon.3When they came on till Allanqooich,They drank the whisky oot o a quaich,And ilka are was blythe eneuch,But wae was Ellen Symon.4When they came to the brig o Don,Peter swore he would move on;Says Charlie, Lad, ye sanna win,For my brave Ellen Symon.
1They hoised her up upon a mare;It was not for her gowd nor gear;’T was for her beauty, keen and rare,That they stealt Ellen Symon.Se ho or so gur tallum tallum,Se ho or so gur e so hallum;Bheir mis ma chinteach ghuds gur tallum,Chaileig, Eilie Symon.
1
They hoised her up upon a mare;
It was not for her gowd nor gear;
’T was for her beauty, keen and rare,
That they stealt Ellen Symon.
Se ho or so gur tallum tallum,
Se ho or so gur e so hallum;
Bheir mis ma chinteach ghuds gur tallum,
Chaileig, Eilie Symon.
2Her father made a bow o bere,Her uncle he gae twa pound mair,To hang the rogue he vowed and swareThat stealt his Ellen Symon.
2
Her father made a bow o bere,
Her uncle he gae twa pound mair,
To hang the rogue he vowed and sware
That stealt his Ellen Symon.
3When they came on till Allanqooich,They drank the whisky oot o a quaich,And ilka are was blythe eneuch,But wae was Ellen Symon.
3
When they came on till Allanqooich,
They drank the whisky oot o a quaich,
And ilka are was blythe eneuch,
But wae was Ellen Symon.
4When they came to the brig o Don,Peter swore he would move on;Says Charlie, Lad, ye sanna win,For my brave Ellen Symon.
4
When they came to the brig o Don,
Peter swore he would move on;
Says Charlie, Lad, ye sanna win,
For my brave Ellen Symon.
P. 255.
P. 255.
From “The Old Lady’s Collection,†No 39.
From “The Old Lady’s Collection,†No 39.
1Ther lives a maid in Edinbrugh citty,Elisa Lindsy they call her by name;Monye an came to court her,But a’ ther suit was in vain.2Out spak the hear of Carnussë,An out spak he;‘Fat wad ye think of me if I wad gae to Edinbrugh cittyAn bring this fair creatur we me?’3‘If ye gae to Edinbrugh cityAn bring this fair creatur we the,Bring her home we ne flatry,But by grait policy.’4Fan he came to the Netherbou,Elisa Lindsy for to see,She drank we him a bottel of cherry,And bare him gued company.5‘Will ye goo to the Hillands we me, Lisee?Will ye go to [the] Hillands we me?.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .Ye’s gett cruds an grean why.’6Out spak Lissy’s mother,An out spak she;‘If ye say so to my daughter,[I] swaer I ell gar ye die.’7‘Keep well yer dother, old lady,Keep well yer dother fra me,For I care as littel for yer dotherAs she dos for me.’8Out spak Lissie Lindsy,We the tear in her eay;‘I will gie ye ten gunies,If ye wad bat sitt in my roum bat a whillTill I dra you[r] picter,To mind me on your swit smill.’9‘I care as littel for your ten guniesAs ye dou for mine,But if ye love my person,Goo we me if ye inclayn.’10Fan they came to Carnusie, an even to the glen,Out came the old day:‘Ye’r welcom home, Sir Donall, ye’r welcom home,An that fair creatur ye we.’11‘Caa na me mare Sir Donald,Bat caa me Donall, yer son,An I’ll caa ye my mother,An caa me Donall, yer son:’The words wer spoken in Ears,Lissie she had nean.12‘Gett us a supper of cruds,[A supper of cruds] an green whay,An a bed of the best of yeer rushes,Besids a covering of gray.’13Lissy Lindsy bieng weary,She lay over long in they day:‘Win up, Lissy Lindsy,Ye haa layen our lang in the day;Ye might haa ben out we my mider,Milken the eus an the kay.’14Out spak Lissie Lindsy,The tear in her eay;‘I wiss I wer in Edenbrugh citty,I cannë milk eus nor kay.’15‘Hold your toung, Lissie Lindsy,An dou not freat on me,For I will haa ye back to Edenbrugh citty,Nou we grait safity.’16Out spak Lissie Lindsy,The tear in her eay;‘If I wer in Edenbrugh citty,They woud think littel of me.’17He touk her by the milk-white hand,Some other forest to vue;.   .   .   .   .   .   .   ..   .   .   .   .   .   .   .18Fan they came to Carnusy, out came Donal’s father,A gay old knight was he;Out cam Donald’s father,An four-an-tuenty him we.19‘Ye’r welcom, Lissie Lends[y],Dear welcom to me;Ye’s be Lady Carnusie,An gett Donal, my son.’20Out came Donald’s mother,An four-an-tuenty her we:‘Ye’r welcom, my son,An that fair creatur ye we.’
1Ther lives a maid in Edinbrugh citty,Elisa Lindsy they call her by name;Monye an came to court her,But a’ ther suit was in vain.2Out spak the hear of Carnussë,An out spak he;‘Fat wad ye think of me if I wad gae to Edinbrugh cittyAn bring this fair creatur we me?’3‘If ye gae to Edinbrugh cityAn bring this fair creatur we the,Bring her home we ne flatry,But by grait policy.’4Fan he came to the Netherbou,Elisa Lindsy for to see,She drank we him a bottel of cherry,And bare him gued company.5‘Will ye goo to the Hillands we me, Lisee?Will ye go to [the] Hillands we me?.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .Ye’s gett cruds an grean why.’6Out spak Lissy’s mother,An out spak she;‘If ye say so to my daughter,[I] swaer I ell gar ye die.’7‘Keep well yer dother, old lady,Keep well yer dother fra me,For I care as littel for yer dotherAs she dos for me.’8Out spak Lissie Lindsy,We the tear in her eay;‘I will gie ye ten gunies,If ye wad bat sitt in my roum bat a whillTill I dra you[r] picter,To mind me on your swit smill.’9‘I care as littel for your ten guniesAs ye dou for mine,But if ye love my person,Goo we me if ye inclayn.’10Fan they came to Carnusie, an even to the glen,Out came the old day:‘Ye’r welcom home, Sir Donall, ye’r welcom home,An that fair creatur ye we.’11‘Caa na me mare Sir Donald,Bat caa me Donall, yer son,An I’ll caa ye my mother,An caa me Donall, yer son:’The words wer spoken in Ears,Lissie she had nean.12‘Gett us a supper of cruds,[A supper of cruds] an green whay,An a bed of the best of yeer rushes,Besids a covering of gray.’13Lissy Lindsy bieng weary,She lay over long in they day:‘Win up, Lissy Lindsy,Ye haa layen our lang in the day;Ye might haa ben out we my mider,Milken the eus an the kay.’14Out spak Lissie Lindsy,The tear in her eay;‘I wiss I wer in Edenbrugh citty,I cannë milk eus nor kay.’15‘Hold your toung, Lissie Lindsy,An dou not freat on me,For I will haa ye back to Edenbrugh citty,Nou we grait safity.’16Out spak Lissie Lindsy,The tear in her eay;‘If I wer in Edenbrugh citty,They woud think littel of me.’17He touk her by the milk-white hand,Some other forest to vue;.   .   .   .   .   .   .   ..   .   .   .   .   .   .   .18Fan they came to Carnusy, out came Donal’s father,A gay old knight was he;Out cam Donald’s father,An four-an-tuenty him we.19‘Ye’r welcom, Lissie Lends[y],Dear welcom to me;Ye’s be Lady Carnusie,An gett Donal, my son.’20Out came Donald’s mother,An four-an-tuenty her we:‘Ye’r welcom, my son,An that fair creatur ye we.’
1Ther lives a maid in Edinbrugh citty,Elisa Lindsy they call her by name;Monye an came to court her,But a’ ther suit was in vain.
1
Ther lives a maid in Edinbrugh citty,
Elisa Lindsy they call her by name;
Monye an came to court her,
But a’ ther suit was in vain.
2Out spak the hear of Carnussë,An out spak he;‘Fat wad ye think of me if I wad gae to Edinbrugh cittyAn bring this fair creatur we me?’
2
Out spak the hear of Carnussë,
An out spak he;
‘Fat wad ye think of me if I wad gae to Edinbrugh citty
An bring this fair creatur we me?’
3‘If ye gae to Edinbrugh cityAn bring this fair creatur we the,Bring her home we ne flatry,But by grait policy.’
3
‘If ye gae to Edinbrugh city
An bring this fair creatur we the,
Bring her home we ne flatry,
But by grait policy.’
4Fan he came to the Netherbou,Elisa Lindsy for to see,She drank we him a bottel of cherry,And bare him gued company.
4
Fan he came to the Netherbou,
Elisa Lindsy for to see,
She drank we him a bottel of cherry,
And bare him gued company.
5‘Will ye goo to the Hillands we me, Lisee?Will ye go to [the] Hillands we me?.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .Ye’s gett cruds an grean why.’
5
‘Will ye goo to the Hillands we me, Lisee?
Will ye go to [the] Hillands we me?
.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
Ye’s gett cruds an grean why.’
6Out spak Lissy’s mother,An out spak she;‘If ye say so to my daughter,[I] swaer I ell gar ye die.’
6
Out spak Lissy’s mother,
An out spak she;
‘If ye say so to my daughter,
[I] swaer I ell gar ye die.’
7‘Keep well yer dother, old lady,Keep well yer dother fra me,For I care as littel for yer dotherAs she dos for me.’
7
‘Keep well yer dother, old lady,
Keep well yer dother fra me,
For I care as littel for yer dother
As she dos for me.’
8Out spak Lissie Lindsy,We the tear in her eay;‘I will gie ye ten gunies,If ye wad bat sitt in my roum bat a whillTill I dra you[r] picter,To mind me on your swit smill.’
8
Out spak Lissie Lindsy,
We the tear in her eay;
‘I will gie ye ten gunies,
If ye wad bat sitt in my roum bat a whill
Till I dra you[r] picter,
To mind me on your swit smill.’
9‘I care as littel for your ten guniesAs ye dou for mine,But if ye love my person,Goo we me if ye inclayn.’
9
‘I care as littel for your ten gunies
As ye dou for mine,
But if ye love my person,
Goo we me if ye inclayn.’
10Fan they came to Carnusie, an even to the glen,Out came the old day:‘Ye’r welcom home, Sir Donall, ye’r welcom home,An that fair creatur ye we.’
10
Fan they came to Carnusie, an even to the glen,
Out came the old day:
‘Ye’r welcom home, Sir Donall, ye’r welcom home,
An that fair creatur ye we.’
11‘Caa na me mare Sir Donald,Bat caa me Donall, yer son,An I’ll caa ye my mother,An caa me Donall, yer son:’The words wer spoken in Ears,Lissie she had nean.
11
‘Caa na me mare Sir Donald,
Bat caa me Donall, yer son,
An I’ll caa ye my mother,
An caa me Donall, yer son:’
The words wer spoken in Ears,
Lissie she had nean.
12‘Gett us a supper of cruds,[A supper of cruds] an green whay,An a bed of the best of yeer rushes,Besids a covering of gray.’
12
‘Gett us a supper of cruds,
[A supper of cruds] an green whay,
An a bed of the best of yeer rushes,
Besids a covering of gray.’
13Lissy Lindsy bieng weary,She lay over long in they day:‘Win up, Lissy Lindsy,Ye haa layen our lang in the day;Ye might haa ben out we my mider,Milken the eus an the kay.’
13
Lissy Lindsy bieng weary,
She lay over long in they day:
‘Win up, Lissy Lindsy,
Ye haa layen our lang in the day;
Ye might haa ben out we my mider,
Milken the eus an the kay.’
14Out spak Lissie Lindsy,The tear in her eay;‘I wiss I wer in Edenbrugh citty,I cannë milk eus nor kay.’
14
Out spak Lissie Lindsy,
The tear in her eay;
‘I wiss I wer in Edenbrugh citty,
I cannë milk eus nor kay.’
15‘Hold your toung, Lissie Lindsy,An dou not freat on me,For I will haa ye back to Edenbrugh citty,Nou we grait safity.’
15
‘Hold your toung, Lissie Lindsy,
An dou not freat on me,
For I will haa ye back to Edenbrugh citty,
Nou we grait safity.’
16Out spak Lissie Lindsy,The tear in her eay;‘If I wer in Edenbrugh citty,They woud think littel of me.’
16
Out spak Lissie Lindsy,
The tear in her eay;
‘If I wer in Edenbrugh citty,
They woud think littel of me.’
17He touk her by the milk-white hand,Some other forest to vue;.   .   .   .   .   .   .   ..   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
17
He touk her by the milk-white hand,
Some other forest to vue;
.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
18Fan they came to Carnusy, out came Donal’s father,A gay old knight was he;Out cam Donald’s father,An four-an-tuenty him we.
18
Fan they came to Carnusy, out came Donal’s father,
A gay old knight was he;
Out cam Donald’s father,
An four-an-tuenty him we.
19‘Ye’r welcom, Lissie Lends[y],Dear welcom to me;Ye’s be Lady Carnusie,An gett Donal, my son.’
19
‘Ye’r welcom, Lissie Lends[y],
Dear welcom to me;
Ye’s be Lady Carnusie,
An gett Donal, my son.’
20Out came Donald’s mother,An four-an-tuenty her we:‘Ye’r welcom, my son,An that fair creatur ye we.’
20
Out came Donald’s mother,
An four-an-tuenty her we:
‘Ye’r welcom, my son,
An that fair creatur ye we.’
172. Forest:doubtful.
172. Forest:doubtful.
P. 266. h. ‘Elisa Bailly,’ “The Old Lady’s Collection,†No 37.
3As I came in by Carron sid,An in nou by Dumblain,Ther I mett we Dugall Grame:He said he wad see me hame.4‘My bonny Lisey Ballie,I ill rou ye in my plady,An ye wad gaa along we me,I wad make ye a Heallend lady.’5‘If I wad gaa along we ye,They wad say I wer na wise;For I cane nether milk cou nor ewe,Nor can I speak Ears.’6‘My bonny Lisie Bailly,For that ye nead na fear;For onye that I cane dou,I ill learn to you, my dear.’19, 21‘Then I ill cast off my bra nou goun,Made of the silk an saten,An I ell pitt on the hame-made grays,To skip among the breachan.’‘My bonny Lisie Bailly,I ill rou ye in my plaidy,An ye will go along we me,I ill make ye a Healand lady.’20‘Then I ell cast aff my bra nou shous,Made of the Turky lader,An I ell pit on the hame-made broges,To skip among the header.’‘My bonny Lisie Bailly,I ell rou ye in my plady;Since ye’r to goo along we me,I ell make ye a Healend lady.’16Foull faa the logarheaded Loland ladsThat lives near Castell Carey,Has latten the bonny lass awayThe Heallend lad to marry.
3As I came in by Carron sid,An in nou by Dumblain,Ther I mett we Dugall Grame:He said he wad see me hame.4‘My bonny Lisey Ballie,I ill rou ye in my plady,An ye wad gaa along we me,I wad make ye a Heallend lady.’5‘If I wad gaa along we ye,They wad say I wer na wise;For I cane nether milk cou nor ewe,Nor can I speak Ears.’6‘My bonny Lisie Bailly,For that ye nead na fear;For onye that I cane dou,I ill learn to you, my dear.’19, 21‘Then I ill cast off my bra nou goun,Made of the silk an saten,An I ell pitt on the hame-made grays,To skip among the breachan.’‘My bonny Lisie Bailly,I ill rou ye in my plaidy,An ye will go along we me,I ill make ye a Healand lady.’20‘Then I ell cast aff my bra nou shous,Made of the Turky lader,An I ell pit on the hame-made broges,To skip among the header.’‘My bonny Lisie Bailly,I ell rou ye in my plady;Since ye’r to goo along we me,I ell make ye a Healend lady.’16Foull faa the logarheaded Loland ladsThat lives near Castell Carey,Has latten the bonny lass awayThe Heallend lad to marry.
3As I came in by Carron sid,An in nou by Dumblain,Ther I mett we Dugall Grame:He said he wad see me hame.
3
As I came in by Carron sid,
An in nou by Dumblain,
Ther I mett we Dugall Grame:
He said he wad see me hame.
4‘My bonny Lisey Ballie,I ill rou ye in my plady,An ye wad gaa along we me,I wad make ye a Heallend lady.’
4
‘My bonny Lisey Ballie,
I ill rou ye in my plady,
An ye wad gaa along we me,
I wad make ye a Heallend lady.’
5‘If I wad gaa along we ye,They wad say I wer na wise;For I cane nether milk cou nor ewe,Nor can I speak Ears.’
5
‘If I wad gaa along we ye,
They wad say I wer na wise;
For I cane nether milk cou nor ewe,
Nor can I speak Ears.’
6‘My bonny Lisie Bailly,For that ye nead na fear;For onye that I cane dou,I ill learn to you, my dear.’
6
‘My bonny Lisie Bailly,
For that ye nead na fear;
For onye that I cane dou,
I ill learn to you, my dear.’
19, 21‘Then I ill cast off my bra nou goun,Made of the silk an saten,An I ell pitt on the hame-made grays,To skip among the breachan.’
19, 21
‘Then I ill cast off my bra nou goun,
Made of the silk an saten,
An I ell pitt on the hame-made grays,
To skip among the breachan.’
‘My bonny Lisie Bailly,I ill rou ye in my plaidy,An ye will go along we me,I ill make ye a Healand lady.’
‘My bonny Lisie Bailly,
I ill rou ye in my plaidy,
An ye will go along we me,
I ill make ye a Healand lady.’
20‘Then I ell cast aff my bra nou shous,Made of the Turky lader,An I ell pit on the hame-made broges,To skip among the header.’
20
‘Then I ell cast aff my bra nou shous,
Made of the Turky lader,
An I ell pit on the hame-made broges,
To skip among the header.’
‘My bonny Lisie Bailly,I ell rou ye in my plady;Since ye’r to goo along we me,I ell make ye a Healend lady.’
‘My bonny Lisie Bailly,
I ell rou ye in my plady;
Since ye’r to goo along we me,
I ell make ye a Healend lady.’
16Foull faa the logarheaded Loland ladsThat lives near Castell Carey,Has latten the bonny lass awayThe Heallend lad to marry.
16
Foull faa the logarheaded Loland lads
That lives near Castell Carey,
Has latten the bonny lass away
The Heallend lad to marry.
162. Careywritten so as to look likeCarly.
162. Careywritten so as to look likeCarly.
P. 271.Ais extant among Sharpe’s relics, written on paper having 1819 in the water-mark, in two hands: stanzas 1-6, 8, 91, in one, 7 (inserted in the margin) and the rest in another. Sharpe has made a few slight changes in the text, besides regulating the spelling. The ballad is now given as it stands in the original copy.
P. 271.Ais extant among Sharpe’s relics, written on paper having 1819 in the water-mark, in two hands: stanzas 1-6, 8, 91, in one, 7 (inserted in the margin) and the rest in another. Sharpe has made a few slight changes in the text, besides regulating the spelling. The ballad is now given as it stands in the original copy.
1‘As I cam in by boney Glassgow town,The Highland troops were a’ before me,And the bon[ey]est lass that ere I saw,She lives in Glassgow, tha ca her Peggy.2‘I wad gie my boney black horse,So wad I my good gray nagie,If I were a hundred miles in the North,And nan wee me but my boney Peggy.’3Up then spoke her father dear,Dear vow! but he was wondrous sorey;‘Weel may yea steel a cow or a ewe,But ye darna steel my boney Peggy.’4Up then spoke her mother dear,Dear vow! but she spoke wondrious sorey;‘Now, since I’ve brought ye up this length,Wod ye gang awa wee a Highland fellow?’5He set her on his boney black horse,He set himsel on his good gray nagy;They have riden over hill[s] and dales,Now he is awa wee his boney Peggy.6They are riden or hills and dales,They have riden or mountains maney,Untill that thay com to a low, low glen,And there he’s lain down wee his boney Peggy.7Up then spoke the Earll o Argyle,Dear vow! bet he spoke wondrous sorry;‘The bonniest lass in a’ ScotlandIs af an awa wi [a] Highland fellow!’8There bed was of the boney green grass,There blankets was o the hay sa boney;He falded his philabeg below her head,Now he’s lawing down wee his boney Peggy.9Up then spoke the boney Lawland lass,And oh, but she spoke wondrous sorry;‘A’s warruant my mother would hae a gae soir heartTo see me lian here wi you, my Willie!’10‘In my father’s house there’s feather-beds,Feather-beds an blankets many;The’re a’ mine, an the’ll shoon be thine,An what needs your mother be sae sorry, Peggie?11‘Dinna you see yon nine score o kye,Feding on yon hill sae boney?The’re a’ mine, an the’ll shoon be thine,An what needs your mother be sorry, Peggie?12‘Dinna you see yon nine score o sheep,Feeding on yon brae sae bonny?The’re a’ mine, an the’ll shoon be thine,An what needs your mother be sorry for you?13‘Dinna you see yon bonny white house,Shining on yon brae sae bonny?An I am the earl o the Isle o Sky,And surely my Peggie will be calle[d] a lady.’
1‘As I cam in by boney Glassgow town,The Highland troops were a’ before me,And the bon[ey]est lass that ere I saw,She lives in Glassgow, tha ca her Peggy.2‘I wad gie my boney black horse,So wad I my good gray nagie,If I were a hundred miles in the North,And nan wee me but my boney Peggy.’3Up then spoke her father dear,Dear vow! but he was wondrous sorey;‘Weel may yea steel a cow or a ewe,But ye darna steel my boney Peggy.’4Up then spoke her mother dear,Dear vow! but she spoke wondrious sorey;‘Now, since I’ve brought ye up this length,Wod ye gang awa wee a Highland fellow?’5He set her on his boney black horse,He set himsel on his good gray nagy;They have riden over hill[s] and dales,Now he is awa wee his boney Peggy.6They are riden or hills and dales,They have riden or mountains maney,Untill that thay com to a low, low glen,And there he’s lain down wee his boney Peggy.7Up then spoke the Earll o Argyle,Dear vow! bet he spoke wondrous sorry;‘The bonniest lass in a’ ScotlandIs af an awa wi [a] Highland fellow!’8There bed was of the boney green grass,There blankets was o the hay sa boney;He falded his philabeg below her head,Now he’s lawing down wee his boney Peggy.9Up then spoke the boney Lawland lass,And oh, but she spoke wondrous sorry;‘A’s warruant my mother would hae a gae soir heartTo see me lian here wi you, my Willie!’10‘In my father’s house there’s feather-beds,Feather-beds an blankets many;The’re a’ mine, an the’ll shoon be thine,An what needs your mother be sae sorry, Peggie?11‘Dinna you see yon nine score o kye,Feding on yon hill sae boney?The’re a’ mine, an the’ll shoon be thine,An what needs your mother be sorry, Peggie?12‘Dinna you see yon nine score o sheep,Feeding on yon brae sae bonny?The’re a’ mine, an the’ll shoon be thine,An what needs your mother be sorry for you?13‘Dinna you see yon bonny white house,Shining on yon brae sae bonny?An I am the earl o the Isle o Sky,And surely my Peggie will be calle[d] a lady.’
1‘As I cam in by boney Glassgow town,The Highland troops were a’ before me,And the bon[ey]est lass that ere I saw,She lives in Glassgow, tha ca her Peggy.
1
‘As I cam in by boney Glassgow town,
The Highland troops were a’ before me,
And the bon[ey]est lass that ere I saw,
She lives in Glassgow, tha ca her Peggy.
2‘I wad gie my boney black horse,So wad I my good gray nagie,If I were a hundred miles in the North,And nan wee me but my boney Peggy.’
2
‘I wad gie my boney black horse,
So wad I my good gray nagie,
If I were a hundred miles in the North,
And nan wee me but my boney Peggy.’
3Up then spoke her father dear,Dear vow! but he was wondrous sorey;‘Weel may yea steel a cow or a ewe,But ye darna steel my boney Peggy.’
3
Up then spoke her father dear,
Dear vow! but he was wondrous sorey;
‘Weel may yea steel a cow or a ewe,
But ye darna steel my boney Peggy.’
4Up then spoke her mother dear,Dear vow! but she spoke wondrious sorey;‘Now, since I’ve brought ye up this length,Wod ye gang awa wee a Highland fellow?’
4
Up then spoke her mother dear,
Dear vow! but she spoke wondrious sorey;
‘Now, since I’ve brought ye up this length,
Wod ye gang awa wee a Highland fellow?’
5He set her on his boney black horse,He set himsel on his good gray nagy;They have riden over hill[s] and dales,Now he is awa wee his boney Peggy.
5
He set her on his boney black horse,
He set himsel on his good gray nagy;
They have riden over hill[s] and dales,
Now he is awa wee his boney Peggy.
6They are riden or hills and dales,They have riden or mountains maney,Untill that thay com to a low, low glen,And there he’s lain down wee his boney Peggy.
6
They are riden or hills and dales,
They have riden or mountains maney,
Untill that thay com to a low, low glen,
And there he’s lain down wee his boney Peggy.
7Up then spoke the Earll o Argyle,Dear vow! bet he spoke wondrous sorry;‘The bonniest lass in a’ ScotlandIs af an awa wi [a] Highland fellow!’
7
Up then spoke the Earll o Argyle,
Dear vow! bet he spoke wondrous sorry;
‘The bonniest lass in a’ Scotland
Is af an awa wi [a] Highland fellow!’
8There bed was of the boney green grass,There blankets was o the hay sa boney;He falded his philabeg below her head,Now he’s lawing down wee his boney Peggy.
8
There bed was of the boney green grass,
There blankets was o the hay sa boney;
He falded his philabeg below her head,
Now he’s lawing down wee his boney Peggy.
9Up then spoke the boney Lawland lass,And oh, but she spoke wondrous sorry;‘A’s warruant my mother would hae a gae soir heartTo see me lian here wi you, my Willie!’
9
Up then spoke the boney Lawland lass,
And oh, but she spoke wondrous sorry;
‘A’s warruant my mother would hae a gae soir heart
To see me lian here wi you, my Willie!’
10‘In my father’s house there’s feather-beds,Feather-beds an blankets many;The’re a’ mine, an the’ll shoon be thine,An what needs your mother be sae sorry, Peggie?
10
‘In my father’s house there’s feather-beds,
Feather-beds an blankets many;
The’re a’ mine, an the’ll shoon be thine,
An what needs your mother be sae sorry, Peggie?
11‘Dinna you see yon nine score o kye,Feding on yon hill sae boney?The’re a’ mine, an the’ll shoon be thine,An what needs your mother be sorry, Peggie?
11
‘Dinna you see yon nine score o kye,
Feding on yon hill sae boney?
The’re a’ mine, an the’ll shoon be thine,
An what needs your mother be sorry, Peggie?
12‘Dinna you see yon nine score o sheep,Feeding on yon brae sae bonny?The’re a’ mine, an the’ll shoon be thine,An what needs your mother be sorry for you?
12
‘Dinna you see yon nine score o sheep,
Feeding on yon brae sae bonny?
The’re a’ mine, an the’ll shoon be thine,
An what needs your mother be sorry for you?
13‘Dinna you see yon bonny white house,Shining on yon brae sae bonny?An I am the earl o the Isle o Sky,And surely my Peggie will be calle[d] a lady.’
13
‘Dinna you see yon bonny white house,
Shining on yon brae sae bonny?
An I am the earl o the Isle o Sky,
And surely my Peggie will be calle[d] a lady.’
12, 23. where.23.a:not unlike2,but reallya.92. she sape.93. soir: inot dotted.103. be the thene.275.
12, 23. where.
23.a:not unlike2,but reallya.
92. she sape.
93. soir: inot dotted.
103. be the thene.
275.
Macmath MS., p. 93. Taken down at Crossmichael, Kirkcudbrightshire, 24th August, 1892, from the recitation of Miss Jane Webster, who had learned it more than fifty years before, at Airds of Kells, from the singing of Rosanna McGinnies.
Macmath MS., p. 93. Taken down at Crossmichael, Kirkcudbrightshire, 24th August, 1892, from the recitation of Miss Jane Webster, who had learned it more than fifty years before, at Airds of Kells, from the singing of Rosanna McGinnies.
1It was on a day, and a fine summer’s day,When the Lowlands they were making ready,There I espied a weel-far’d lass,She was gaun to Glasgow, and they ca her Peggy.2It’s up then spak a silly auld man,And O but he spak wondrous poorly!Sayin, Ye may steal awa my cows and my ewes,But ye’ll never steal awa my bonny Peggy.3‘O haud yer tongue, ye silly auld man,For ye hae said eneugh already,For I’ll never steal awa yer cows and yer ewes,But I’ll steal awa yer bonny Peggy.’4So he mounted her on a milk-white steed,Himsel upon a wee grey naigie,And they hae ridden ower hill and dale,And over moors and mosses many.5They rade till they cam to the head o yon glen,It might hae frightened anybody;He said, Whether will ye go alongst with me,Or will ye return back again to your mammie?*   *   *   *   *   *6Their bed was o the green, green grass,And their blankets o the bracken sae bonnie,And he’s laid his trews beneath their head,And Peggy’s lain doun wi her Heilan laddie.7They lay till it cam to the break o day,Then up they rose and made them ready;He said, Whether will ye go alongst with me,Or will ye return back again to your mammie?8‘I’ll follow you through frost and snow,I’ll follow you through dangers many,And wherever ye go I will go alongst with you,For I’ll never return back again to my mammie.’9‘I hae four-and-twenty gude milk-kye,They’re a’ bun in yon byre sae bonny,And I am the earl o the Isle o Skye,And why should not Peggy be called a lady?10‘I hae fifty acres o gude land,A’ ploughed ower and sawn sae bonny,And I am young Donald o the Isle o Skye,And wherever I’m laird I’ll make ye lady.’
1It was on a day, and a fine summer’s day,When the Lowlands they were making ready,There I espied a weel-far’d lass,She was gaun to Glasgow, and they ca her Peggy.2It’s up then spak a silly auld man,And O but he spak wondrous poorly!Sayin, Ye may steal awa my cows and my ewes,But ye’ll never steal awa my bonny Peggy.3‘O haud yer tongue, ye silly auld man,For ye hae said eneugh already,For I’ll never steal awa yer cows and yer ewes,But I’ll steal awa yer bonny Peggy.’4So he mounted her on a milk-white steed,Himsel upon a wee grey naigie,And they hae ridden ower hill and dale,And over moors and mosses many.5They rade till they cam to the head o yon glen,It might hae frightened anybody;He said, Whether will ye go alongst with me,Or will ye return back again to your mammie?*   *   *   *   *   *6Their bed was o the green, green grass,And their blankets o the bracken sae bonnie,And he’s laid his trews beneath their head,And Peggy’s lain doun wi her Heilan laddie.7They lay till it cam to the break o day,Then up they rose and made them ready;He said, Whether will ye go alongst with me,Or will ye return back again to your mammie?8‘I’ll follow you through frost and snow,I’ll follow you through dangers many,And wherever ye go I will go alongst with you,For I’ll never return back again to my mammie.’9‘I hae four-and-twenty gude milk-kye,They’re a’ bun in yon byre sae bonny,And I am the earl o the Isle o Skye,And why should not Peggy be called a lady?10‘I hae fifty acres o gude land,A’ ploughed ower and sawn sae bonny,And I am young Donald o the Isle o Skye,And wherever I’m laird I’ll make ye lady.’
1It was on a day, and a fine summer’s day,When the Lowlands they were making ready,There I espied a weel-far’d lass,She was gaun to Glasgow, and they ca her Peggy.
1
It was on a day, and a fine summer’s day,
When the Lowlands they were making ready,
There I espied a weel-far’d lass,
She was gaun to Glasgow, and they ca her Peggy.
2It’s up then spak a silly auld man,And O but he spak wondrous poorly!Sayin, Ye may steal awa my cows and my ewes,But ye’ll never steal awa my bonny Peggy.
2
It’s up then spak a silly auld man,
And O but he spak wondrous poorly!
Sayin, Ye may steal awa my cows and my ewes,
But ye’ll never steal awa my bonny Peggy.
3‘O haud yer tongue, ye silly auld man,For ye hae said eneugh already,For I’ll never steal awa yer cows and yer ewes,But I’ll steal awa yer bonny Peggy.’
3
‘O haud yer tongue, ye silly auld man,
For ye hae said eneugh already,
For I’ll never steal awa yer cows and yer ewes,
But I’ll steal awa yer bonny Peggy.’
4So he mounted her on a milk-white steed,Himsel upon a wee grey naigie,And they hae ridden ower hill and dale,And over moors and mosses many.
4
So he mounted her on a milk-white steed,
Himsel upon a wee grey naigie,
And they hae ridden ower hill and dale,
And over moors and mosses many.
5They rade till they cam to the head o yon glen,It might hae frightened anybody;He said, Whether will ye go alongst with me,Or will ye return back again to your mammie?
5
They rade till they cam to the head o yon glen,
It might hae frightened anybody;
He said, Whether will ye go alongst with me,
Or will ye return back again to your mammie?
*   *   *   *   *   *
*   *   *   *   *   *
6Their bed was o the green, green grass,And their blankets o the bracken sae bonnie,And he’s laid his trews beneath their head,And Peggy’s lain doun wi her Heilan laddie.
6
Their bed was o the green, green grass,
And their blankets o the bracken sae bonnie,
And he’s laid his trews beneath their head,
And Peggy’s lain doun wi her Heilan laddie.
7They lay till it cam to the break o day,Then up they rose and made them ready;He said, Whether will ye go alongst with me,Or will ye return back again to your mammie?
7
They lay till it cam to the break o day,
Then up they rose and made them ready;
He said, Whether will ye go alongst with me,
Or will ye return back again to your mammie?
8‘I’ll follow you through frost and snow,I’ll follow you through dangers many,And wherever ye go I will go alongst with you,For I’ll never return back again to my mammie.’
8
‘I’ll follow you through frost and snow,
I’ll follow you through dangers many,
And wherever ye go I will go alongst with you,
For I’ll never return back again to my mammie.’
9‘I hae four-and-twenty gude milk-kye,They’re a’ bun in yon byre sae bonny,And I am the earl o the Isle o Skye,And why should not Peggy be called a lady?
9
‘I hae four-and-twenty gude milk-kye,
They’re a’ bun in yon byre sae bonny,
And I am the earl o the Isle o Skye,
And why should not Peggy be called a lady?
10‘I hae fifty acres o gude land,A’ ploughed ower and sawn sae bonny,And I am young Donald o the Isle o Skye,And wherever I’m laird I’ll make ye lady.’
10
‘I hae fifty acres o gude land,
A’ ploughed ower and sawn sae bonny,
And I am young Donald o the Isle o Skye,
And wherever I’m laird I’ll make ye lady.’
P. 284.Bas it stands in “The Old Lady’s Collection,†No 26.
P. 284.Bas it stands in “The Old Lady’s Collection,†No 26.
1Earell is a bonny place,Itt stands upon yon plain;The gratest faut about the toun,Earell’s na a man.For fat ye caa the danton o’tt,According as ye ken,For the pearting   .   .   .   .,Lady Earel lays her lean.2Eearel is a bonny place,It stans upon yon plain;The rosses they grou read an whit,An the apples they grou green.3‘Fatt nead I my apron washAn hing upon yon pinn?For lang will I gaa out an inOr I hear my barn’s dinn.4‘Fatt nead I my apron wash,Or hang upon yon dor?For side an wid is my petecot,An eaen doun afore.5‘Bat I will laice my stays agean,My middel jump an smaa;I ull gaa a’ my days a meaden,Awaa, Earell, awaa!’6It fell ance upon a day Lord EarellWent to hunt him lean,.   .   .   .   .   .   .   ..   .   .   .   .   .   .   .7He was na a mill fra the toun,Nor yett sae far awaa,Till his lady is on to Edinbrugh,To tray him att the laa.8Littel did Lord Earell think,Fan he satt doun to dine,That his lady was one to Edinbrugh,Nor fatt was in her mind.9Till his best servant cameFor to latt him kenn,.   .   .   .   .   ..   .   .   .   .   .10She was na in att the toun-end,Nor yett sa far awa,Till Earell he was att her back,His goudy lokes to sha.11She was na in att the toun-head,Nor just att the eand,Till Earell he was att her back,Her earent for to ken.12‘As lang as they caa ye Kett Carnegë,An me Sir Gilbert Hay,I us gar yer father sell Kinnerd,Yer tougher for to pay.’13‘For to gar my father sell Kennerd,It wad be a sin,To gee’t to ony naughty knightThat a toucher canna wine.’14Out spak the first lord,The best among them a’;‘I never seed a lady come to EdinbrughWe sick matters to the laue.’15Out spak the nixt lord,The best of the toun;‘Ye gett fiften weell-fared maids,An pitt them in a roun,An Earl in the midst of them,An latt him chouss out ane.’16They ha gotten fiften well-fared maids,An pat them in a roun,An Earel in the mids of them,An bad him chuse out ane.17He voued them a’ intell a rau,Even up an doun,An he has chossen a well-fared may,An Meggie was her name.18He touk her by the hand,Afore the nobles a’,An tuenty times he kissed her moue,An lead her throu the haa.19‘Louk up, Meggie, luke up, Meggie,An thinkne sham[e];As lang as ye see my goudy loks,Lady Earel’s be yer name.’20Thir was fifteen nobelmen,An as mony ladys gay,To see Earel proven a man.   .   .   .   .   .21‘Ye tak this well-fared may,An keep her three roun reaths of a year,An even att the three raiths’ endI ull draue near.’22They ha tane that well-fared may,An kepeed her three roun reaths of a year,An even att the three raiths’ endEarel’s son she bare.23The gentelmen they ga a shout,The ladys gaa a caa,Fair mat faa him Errel,But vou to his lady!24He was na in at the toun-head,Nor just att the end,Till the letters they wer metting himThat Errol had a son.25‘Luke up, Megie, luk up, Meggie,An think na shame;As lang as ye see my bra blak hat,Lady Earrol’s be yer name.26‘I will gie my Meggie a mill,Bat an a pice of land,.   .   .   .   .   .To foster my young son.27‘Fare is a’ my merry men a’,That I pay meat an gair,For to convë my Meggie hame,.   .   .   .   .   ?’28.   .   .   .   .   .   ..   .   .   .   .   .   .Even in Lord Earrel’s coachThey conved the lassie hame.29‘Tak hame yer dother, Lord Kennard,An take her to the glen,For Earell canno pleas her,Earell nor a’ his men.’30‘Had I ben lady of Earrol,Of sick a boony place,I wadne gain to EdinbrughMy husband to disgrace.’
1Earell is a bonny place,Itt stands upon yon plain;The gratest faut about the toun,Earell’s na a man.For fat ye caa the danton o’tt,According as ye ken,For the pearting   .   .   .   .,Lady Earel lays her lean.2Eearel is a bonny place,It stans upon yon plain;The rosses they grou read an whit,An the apples they grou green.3‘Fatt nead I my apron washAn hing upon yon pinn?For lang will I gaa out an inOr I hear my barn’s dinn.4‘Fatt nead I my apron wash,Or hang upon yon dor?For side an wid is my petecot,An eaen doun afore.5‘Bat I will laice my stays agean,My middel jump an smaa;I ull gaa a’ my days a meaden,Awaa, Earell, awaa!’6It fell ance upon a day Lord EarellWent to hunt him lean,.   .   .   .   .   .   .   ..   .   .   .   .   .   .   .7He was na a mill fra the toun,Nor yett sae far awaa,Till his lady is on to Edinbrugh,To tray him att the laa.8Littel did Lord Earell think,Fan he satt doun to dine,That his lady was one to Edinbrugh,Nor fatt was in her mind.9Till his best servant cameFor to latt him kenn,.   .   .   .   .   ..   .   .   .   .   .10She was na in att the toun-end,Nor yett sa far awa,Till Earell he was att her back,His goudy lokes to sha.11She was na in att the toun-head,Nor just att the eand,Till Earell he was att her back,Her earent for to ken.12‘As lang as they caa ye Kett Carnegë,An me Sir Gilbert Hay,I us gar yer father sell Kinnerd,Yer tougher for to pay.’13‘For to gar my father sell Kennerd,It wad be a sin,To gee’t to ony naughty knightThat a toucher canna wine.’14Out spak the first lord,The best among them a’;‘I never seed a lady come to EdinbrughWe sick matters to the laue.’15Out spak the nixt lord,The best of the toun;‘Ye gett fiften weell-fared maids,An pitt them in a roun,An Earl in the midst of them,An latt him chouss out ane.’16They ha gotten fiften well-fared maids,An pat them in a roun,An Earel in the mids of them,An bad him chuse out ane.17He voued them a’ intell a rau,Even up an doun,An he has chossen a well-fared may,An Meggie was her name.18He touk her by the hand,Afore the nobles a’,An tuenty times he kissed her moue,An lead her throu the haa.19‘Louk up, Meggie, luke up, Meggie,An thinkne sham[e];As lang as ye see my goudy loks,Lady Earel’s be yer name.’20Thir was fifteen nobelmen,An as mony ladys gay,To see Earel proven a man.   .   .   .   .   .21‘Ye tak this well-fared may,An keep her three roun reaths of a year,An even att the three raiths’ endI ull draue near.’22They ha tane that well-fared may,An kepeed her three roun reaths of a year,An even att the three raiths’ endEarel’s son she bare.23The gentelmen they ga a shout,The ladys gaa a caa,Fair mat faa him Errel,But vou to his lady!24He was na in at the toun-head,Nor just att the end,Till the letters they wer metting himThat Errol had a son.25‘Luke up, Megie, luk up, Meggie,An think na shame;As lang as ye see my bra blak hat,Lady Earrol’s be yer name.26‘I will gie my Meggie a mill,Bat an a pice of land,.   .   .   .   .   .To foster my young son.27‘Fare is a’ my merry men a’,That I pay meat an gair,For to convë my Meggie hame,.   .   .   .   .   ?’28.   .   .   .   .   .   ..   .   .   .   .   .   .Even in Lord Earrel’s coachThey conved the lassie hame.29‘Tak hame yer dother, Lord Kennard,An take her to the glen,For Earell canno pleas her,Earell nor a’ his men.’30‘Had I ben lady of Earrol,Of sick a boony place,I wadne gain to EdinbrughMy husband to disgrace.’
1Earell is a bonny place,Itt stands upon yon plain;The gratest faut about the toun,Earell’s na a man.For fat ye caa the danton o’tt,According as ye ken,For the pearting   .   .   .   .,Lady Earel lays her lean.
1
Earell is a bonny place,
Itt stands upon yon plain;
The gratest faut about the toun,
Earell’s na a man.
For fat ye caa the danton o’tt,
According as ye ken,
For the pearting   .   .   .   .,
Lady Earel lays her lean.
2Eearel is a bonny place,It stans upon yon plain;The rosses they grou read an whit,An the apples they grou green.
2
Eearel is a bonny place,
It stans upon yon plain;
The rosses they grou read an whit,
An the apples they grou green.
3‘Fatt nead I my apron washAn hing upon yon pinn?For lang will I gaa out an inOr I hear my barn’s dinn.
3
‘Fatt nead I my apron wash
An hing upon yon pinn?
For lang will I gaa out an in
Or I hear my barn’s dinn.
4‘Fatt nead I my apron wash,Or hang upon yon dor?For side an wid is my petecot,An eaen doun afore.
4
‘Fatt nead I my apron wash,
Or hang upon yon dor?
For side an wid is my petecot,
An eaen doun afore.
5‘Bat I will laice my stays agean,My middel jump an smaa;I ull gaa a’ my days a meaden,Awaa, Earell, awaa!’
5
‘Bat I will laice my stays agean,
My middel jump an smaa;
I ull gaa a’ my days a meaden,
Awaa, Earell, awaa!’
6It fell ance upon a day Lord EarellWent to hunt him lean,.   .   .   .   .   .   .   ..   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
6
It fell ance upon a day Lord Earell
Went to hunt him lean,
.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
7He was na a mill fra the toun,Nor yett sae far awaa,Till his lady is on to Edinbrugh,To tray him att the laa.
7
He was na a mill fra the toun,
Nor yett sae far awaa,
Till his lady is on to Edinbrugh,
To tray him att the laa.
8Littel did Lord Earell think,Fan he satt doun to dine,That his lady was one to Edinbrugh,Nor fatt was in her mind.
8
Littel did Lord Earell think,
Fan he satt doun to dine,
That his lady was one to Edinbrugh,
Nor fatt was in her mind.
9Till his best servant cameFor to latt him kenn,.   .   .   .   .   ..   .   .   .   .   .
9
Till his best servant came
For to latt him kenn,
.   .   .   .   .   .
.   .   .   .   .   .
10She was na in att the toun-end,Nor yett sa far awa,Till Earell he was att her back,His goudy lokes to sha.
10
She was na in att the toun-end,
Nor yett sa far awa,
Till Earell he was att her back,
His goudy lokes to sha.
11She was na in att the toun-head,Nor just att the eand,Till Earell he was att her back,Her earent for to ken.
11
She was na in att the toun-head,
Nor just att the eand,
Till Earell he was att her back,
Her earent for to ken.
12‘As lang as they caa ye Kett Carnegë,An me Sir Gilbert Hay,I us gar yer father sell Kinnerd,Yer tougher for to pay.’
12
‘As lang as they caa ye Kett Carnegë,
An me Sir Gilbert Hay,
I us gar yer father sell Kinnerd,
Yer tougher for to pay.’
13‘For to gar my father sell Kennerd,It wad be a sin,To gee’t to ony naughty knightThat a toucher canna wine.’
13
‘For to gar my father sell Kennerd,
It wad be a sin,
To gee’t to ony naughty knight
That a toucher canna wine.’
14Out spak the first lord,The best among them a’;‘I never seed a lady come to EdinbrughWe sick matters to the laue.’
14
Out spak the first lord,
The best among them a’;
‘I never seed a lady come to Edinbrugh
We sick matters to the laue.’
15Out spak the nixt lord,The best of the toun;‘Ye gett fiften weell-fared maids,An pitt them in a roun,An Earl in the midst of them,An latt him chouss out ane.’
15
Out spak the nixt lord,
The best of the toun;
‘Ye gett fiften weell-fared maids,
An pitt them in a roun,
An Earl in the midst of them,
An latt him chouss out ane.’
16They ha gotten fiften well-fared maids,An pat them in a roun,An Earel in the mids of them,An bad him chuse out ane.
16
They ha gotten fiften well-fared maids,
An pat them in a roun,
An Earel in the mids of them,
An bad him chuse out ane.
17He voued them a’ intell a rau,Even up an doun,An he has chossen a well-fared may,An Meggie was her name.
17
He voued them a’ intell a rau,
Even up an doun,
An he has chossen a well-fared may,
An Meggie was her name.
18He touk her by the hand,Afore the nobles a’,An tuenty times he kissed her moue,An lead her throu the haa.
18
He touk her by the hand,
Afore the nobles a’,
An tuenty times he kissed her moue,
An lead her throu the haa.
19‘Louk up, Meggie, luke up, Meggie,An thinkne sham[e];As lang as ye see my goudy loks,Lady Earel’s be yer name.’
19
‘Louk up, Meggie, luke up, Meggie,
An thinkne sham[e];
As lang as ye see my goudy loks,
Lady Earel’s be yer name.’
20Thir was fifteen nobelmen,An as mony ladys gay,To see Earel proven a man.   .   .   .   .   .
20
Thir was fifteen nobelmen,
An as mony ladys gay,
To see Earel proven a man
.   .   .   .   .   .
21‘Ye tak this well-fared may,An keep her three roun reaths of a year,An even att the three raiths’ endI ull draue near.’
21
‘Ye tak this well-fared may,
An keep her three roun reaths of a year,
An even att the three raiths’ end
I ull draue near.’
22They ha tane that well-fared may,An kepeed her three roun reaths of a year,An even att the three raiths’ endEarel’s son she bare.
22
They ha tane that well-fared may,
An kepeed her three roun reaths of a year,
An even att the three raiths’ end
Earel’s son she bare.
23The gentelmen they ga a shout,The ladys gaa a caa,Fair mat faa him Errel,But vou to his lady!
23
The gentelmen they ga a shout,
The ladys gaa a caa,
Fair mat faa him Errel,
But vou to his lady!
24He was na in at the toun-head,Nor just att the end,Till the letters they wer metting himThat Errol had a son.
24
He was na in at the toun-head,
Nor just att the end,
Till the letters they wer metting him
That Errol had a son.
25‘Luke up, Megie, luk up, Meggie,An think na shame;As lang as ye see my bra blak hat,Lady Earrol’s be yer name.
25
‘Luke up, Megie, luk up, Meggie,
An think na shame;
As lang as ye see my bra blak hat,
Lady Earrol’s be yer name.
26‘I will gie my Meggie a mill,Bat an a pice of land,.   .   .   .   .   .To foster my young son.
26
‘I will gie my Meggie a mill,
Bat an a pice of land,
.   .   .   .   .   .
To foster my young son.
27‘Fare is a’ my merry men a’,That I pay meat an gair,For to convë my Meggie hame,.   .   .   .   .   ?’
27
‘Fare is a’ my merry men a’,
That I pay meat an gair,
For to convë my Meggie hame,
.   .   .   .   .   ?’
28.   .   .   .   .   .   ..   .   .   .   .   .   .Even in Lord Earrel’s coachThey conved the lassie hame.
28
.   .   .   .   .   .   .
.   .   .   .   .   .   .
Even in Lord Earrel’s coach
They conved the lassie hame.
29‘Tak hame yer dother, Lord Kennard,An take her to the glen,For Earell canno pleas her,Earell nor a’ his men.’
29
‘Tak hame yer dother, Lord Kennard,
An take her to the glen,
For Earell canno pleas her,
Earell nor a’ his men.’
30‘Had I ben lady of Earrol,Of sick a boony place,I wadne gain to EdinbrughMy husband to disgrace.’
30
‘Had I ben lady of Earrol,
Of sick a boony place,
I wadne gain to Edinbrugh
My husband to disgrace.’
Refrain. Given only at the end.154, 162. roum.202. gay ladys.244. that that.
Refrain. Given only at the end.
154, 162. roum.
202. gay ladys.
244. that that.
288.Eis also in the small MS. volume of C. K. Sharpe’s, “Songs,†p. 17. The reading in 34is “toss,†“top†being a mis-copy.289. Findlay MSS, I, 135; ‘Airlie,’ from Miss Butchart, Arbroath.
288.Eis also in the small MS. volume of C. K. Sharpe’s, “Songs,†p. 17. The reading in 34is “toss,†“top†being a mis-copy.
289. Findlay MSS, I, 135; ‘Airlie,’ from Miss Butchart, Arbroath.
1Lord Airlie’s courted mony a lady,He’s courted mony a ane, OAn he’s awa to bonny Kinnaird,Lady Katrine’s love to win. O2An when he cam to bonny Kinnaird,An on the bowlin-green,There he saw his ain Katrine,Was walking there alane.3‘O will ye go to bonnie Airlie,Alang wi me to dine?Or will ye go to bonny Airlie,To be my lady fine?’4‘I winna go to bonny AirlieAlang wi you to dine,But I will go to bonny AirlieTo be your lady fine.’*   *   *   *   *   *5He would not hae the lady gay,That rustled in her silk,But he would hae the country-girl,Goin to sell her milk.6He took his Peggie by the handAn led her through the ha,An twenty times he kissëd her,Before the nobles a’.7He took his Peggie by the handAn led her through the trance,An twenty times he kissëd herBefore he bade her dance.
1Lord Airlie’s courted mony a lady,He’s courted mony a ane, OAn he’s awa to bonny Kinnaird,Lady Katrine’s love to win. O2An when he cam to bonny Kinnaird,An on the bowlin-green,There he saw his ain Katrine,Was walking there alane.3‘O will ye go to bonnie Airlie,Alang wi me to dine?Or will ye go to bonny Airlie,To be my lady fine?’4‘I winna go to bonny AirlieAlang wi you to dine,But I will go to bonny AirlieTo be your lady fine.’*   *   *   *   *   *5He would not hae the lady gay,That rustled in her silk,But he would hae the country-girl,Goin to sell her milk.6He took his Peggie by the handAn led her through the ha,An twenty times he kissëd her,Before the nobles a’.7He took his Peggie by the handAn led her through the trance,An twenty times he kissëd herBefore he bade her dance.
1Lord Airlie’s courted mony a lady,He’s courted mony a ane, OAn he’s awa to bonny Kinnaird,Lady Katrine’s love to win. O
1
Lord Airlie’s courted mony a lady,
He’s courted mony a ane, O
An he’s awa to bonny Kinnaird,
Lady Katrine’s love to win. O
2An when he cam to bonny Kinnaird,An on the bowlin-green,There he saw his ain Katrine,Was walking there alane.
2
An when he cam to bonny Kinnaird,
An on the bowlin-green,
There he saw his ain Katrine,
Was walking there alane.
3‘O will ye go to bonnie Airlie,Alang wi me to dine?Or will ye go to bonny Airlie,To be my lady fine?’
3
‘O will ye go to bonnie Airlie,
Alang wi me to dine?
Or will ye go to bonny Airlie,
To be my lady fine?’
4‘I winna go to bonny AirlieAlang wi you to dine,But I will go to bonny AirlieTo be your lady fine.’
4
‘I winna go to bonny Airlie
Alang wi you to dine,
But I will go to bonny Airlie
To be your lady fine.’
*   *   *   *   *   *
*   *   *   *   *   *
5He would not hae the lady gay,That rustled in her silk,But he would hae the country-girl,Goin to sell her milk.
5
He would not hae the lady gay,
That rustled in her silk,
But he would hae the country-girl,
Goin to sell her milk.
6He took his Peggie by the handAn led her through the ha,An twenty times he kissëd her,Before the nobles a’.
6
He took his Peggie by the hand
An led her through the ha,
An twenty times he kissëd her,
Before the nobles a’.
7He took his Peggie by the handAn led her through the trance,An twenty times he kissëd herBefore he bade her dance.
7
He took his Peggie by the hand
An led her through the trance,
An twenty times he kissëd her
Before he bade her dance.