VOL. IV.

P. 4. I am now able to give the unprinted copy, referred to in the Border Minstrelsy, in which the Elliots take the place assigned in the other version to the Scotts. This I do by the assistance of Mr Macmath, the present possessor of the manuscript, which was formerly among the papers of Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe. The hand “is a good and careful one of about the beginning of this century, with a slight shake in it, and probably that of a person advanced in life.” Be it observed that the title, in this case, is ‘Jamie Telfer in the Fair Dodhead,’ signifying, according to Scottish usage, that Telfer was tenant simply, whereas ‘of’ would make him proprietor.

Hogg, writing to Sir W. Scott (Letters, vol. i, No 44), says that ‘Jamie Telfer,’ as printed in the Minstrelsy, differs in many particulars from his mother’s way of giving it. Mrs Hogg’s version may very likely have been a third copy.

In this version, Telfer, after the loosing of his nolt and the ranshakling of his house, runs eight miles to Branxholm, to seek aid of Buccleugh, who refers him to Martin Elliot, to whom, and not to himself, Buccleugh affirms, Telfer has paid blackmail. Telfer, as in the other version, runs up the water-gate to Coultart Cleugh, and invokes the help of Jock Grieve, who sets him on a bonny black to take the fray to Catlock Hill, as in the other version again. Catlock Hill Mr R. B. Armstrong considers to be probably Catlie Hill, marked in Blaeu’s map as near Braidlie. It was occupied by an Elliot in 1541. At Catlock Hill Martin’s Hab sets Telfer on a bonny black to take the fray to Prickenhaugh, a place which, Mr Armstrong observes, is put in Blaeu’s map near Larriston. Auld Martin Elliot is at Prickenhaugh, and he orders Simmy, his son, to be summoned, and the water-side to be warned, including the Currers and Willie o Gorrenberry, who in the other version, st. 27, are warned as owing fealty to Scott; but an Archibald Elliot is described as “in Gorrenberrie” in 1541,[121] and Will Elliot of Gorrombye was concerned in the rescue of Kinmont Willie in 1596, Sim Elliot takes the lead in the pursuit of the marauders which Willie Scott has in the other version, and like him is killed. Martin Elliot of Braidley had among his sons, in 1580, a Sym, an Arche, and a Hob,[121]and was, during a portion of the second half of the sixteenth century, says Mr Armstrong, perhaps the most important person of his name.[122]This Martin Elliot would fit very well into our ballad, but that he should be described as of Prickenhaugh, not of Braidley, raises a difficulty. Braidley, at the junction of the Braidley burn with the Hermitage water, is well placed for our purposes; Prickenhaugh, down by the Liddel water, seems rather remote.

5, 582. See more as to Dodhead in The Saturday Review, May 20, 1893, p. 543.

1It fell about the Martinmas,When steads were fed wi corn and hay,The Captain of Bewcastle said to his lads,We’ll into Tiviotdale and seek a prey.2The first ae guide that they met withWas high up in Hardhaugh swire,The second guide that they met withWas laigh down in Borthick water.3‘What tidings, what tidings, my bonny guide?’‘Nae tidings, nae tidings I hae to thee;But if ye’ll gae to the Fair DodheadMony a cow’s calf I’ll let ye see.’4When they came to the Fair Dodhead,Right hastily they clam the peel,They loosd the nolt out, ane and a’,And ranshakled the house right weel.5Now Jamie’s heart it was right sair,The tear ay rowing in his eye;He pled wi the Captain to hae his gear,Or else revengëd he would be.6Bat the Captain turnd himsel about,Said, Man, there’s naething in thy houseBut an auld sword without a scabbard,That scarcely now would fell a mouse.7The moon was up and the sun was down,’Twas the gryming of a new-fa’n snaw;Jamie Telfer has run eight miles barefootBetween Dodhead and Branxholm Ha.8And when he came to Branxholm HaHe shouted loud and cry’d well he,Till up bespake then auld Buccleugh,‘Whae’s this that brings the fray to me?’9‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer i the Fair Dodhead,And a harried man I think I be;There’s naething left i the Fair DodheadBut only wife and children three.’10‘Gae seek your succour frae Martin Elliot,For succour ye’s get nane frae me;Gae seek your succour where ye paid blackmail,For, man, ye never paid money to me.’11Jamie he’s turnd him round about,And ay the tear blinded his eye:‘I’se never pay mail to Scott again,Nor the Fair Dodhead I’ll ever see.’12Now Jamie is up the water-gate,Een as fast as he can drie,Till he came to the Coultart Cleugh,And there he shouted and cry’d weel he.13Then up bespake him auld Jock Grieve,‘Whae’s this that bring[s] the fray to me?’‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer i the Fair Dodhead,And a harried man I think I be.14‘There’s naething left i the Fair DodheadBut only wife and children three,And sax poor calves stand i the sta,A’ routing loud for their minnie.’15‘Alack, wae’s me!’ co auld Jock Grieve,‘Alack, alack, and wae is me!For ye was married t’ the auld sister,And I t’ the younges[t] o the three.’16Then he’s taen out a bonny black,It was weel fed wi corn and hay,And set Jamie Telfer on his back,To the Catlock hill to take the fray.17When he came to the Catlock hill,He shouted loud and cry’d weel he;‘Whae’s that, whae’s that?’ co Martin’s Hab,‘Whae’s this that brings the fray to me?’18‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer i the Fair Dodhead,And a harried man I think I be;There’s neathing left i the Fair DodheadBut only wife and children three.’19‘Alack, wae’s me!’ co Martin’s Hab,‘Alack, awae, my heart is sair!I never came bye the Fair DodheadThat ever I faund thy basket bare.’20Then he’s taen out a bonny black,It was weel fed wi corn and hay,And set Jamie Telfer on his backTo the Pricken haugh to take the fray.21When he came to the Pricken haugh,He shouted loud and cry’d weel he;Up then bespake auld Martin Elliot,‘Whae’s this that brings the fray to me?’22‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer i the Fair Dodhead,And a harried man I think I be;There’s naething left i the Fair DodheadBut only wife and children three.’23‘Ever alack!’ can Martin say,‘And ay my heart is sair for thee!But fy, gar ca on Simmy my son,And see that he come hastily.24‘Fy, gar warn the water-side,Gar warn it soon and hastily;Them that winna ride for Telfer’s kye,Let them never look i the face o me.25‘Gar warn the water, braid and wide,And warn the Currers i the shaw;When ye come in at the Hermitage slack,Warn doughty Willie o Gorrenberry.’26The gear was driven the Frostily up,From the Frostily into the plain;When Simmie lookëd him afore,He saw the kye right fast driving.27‘Whae drives the kye,’ then Simmy can say,‘To make an outspeckle o me?’‘It’s I, the Captain o Bewcastle, Simmy,I winna lain my name frae thee.’28‘O will ye let the gear gae back?Or will ye do ony thing for me?’‘I winna let the gear gae back,Nor naething, Simmy, I’ll do for the[e].29‘But I’ll drive Jamie Telfer’s kyeIn spite o Jamie Telfer’s teeth and thee;’‘Then by my sooth,’ can Simmy say,‘I’ll ware my dame’s calfskin on thee.30‘Fa on them, lads!’ can Simmy say,‘Fy, fa on them cruelly!For or they win to the Ritter fordMony toom saddle there shall be.’31But Simmy was striken oer the head,And thro the napskape it is gane,And Moscrop made a dolefull rageWhen Simmy on the ground lay slain.32‘Fy, lay on them!’ co Martin Elliot,‘Fy, lay on them cruelly!For ere they win to the Kershop fordMony toom saddle there shall be.’33John o Biggam he was slain,And John o Barlow, as I heard say,And fifteen o the Captain’s menLay bleeding on the ground that day.34The Captain was shot through the head,And also through the left ba-stane;Tho he had livd this hundred years,He’d neer been loed by woman again.35The word is gane unto his bride,Een in the bower where she lay,That her good lord was in ’s enemy’s landSince into Tiviotdale he led the way.36‘I loord a had a winding sheedAnd helpd to put it oer his head,Or he’d been taen in ’s enemy’s lands,Since he oer Liddle his men did lead.’37There was a man in our company,And his name was Willie Wudëspurs:‘There is a house in the Stanegarside,If any man will ride with us.’38When they came to the Stanegarside,They bangd wi trees and brake the door,They loosd the kye out, ane and a’,And set them furth our lads before.39There was an auld wif ayont the fire,A wee bit o the Captain’s kin:‘Whae loo[s]es out the Captain’s kye,And sae mony o the Captain’s men wi[t]hin?’40‘I, Willie Wudëspurs, let out the kye,I winna lain my name frae thee,And I’ll loose out the Captain’s kyeIn spite o the Captain’s teeth and thee.’41Now on they came to the Fair Dodhead,They were a welcome sight to see,And instead of his ain ten milk-kyeJamie Telfer’s gotten thirty and three.

1It fell about the Martinmas,When steads were fed wi corn and hay,The Captain of Bewcastle said to his lads,We’ll into Tiviotdale and seek a prey.

It fell about the Martinmas,

When steads were fed wi corn and hay,

The Captain of Bewcastle said to his lads,

We’ll into Tiviotdale and seek a prey.

2The first ae guide that they met withWas high up in Hardhaugh swire,The second guide that they met withWas laigh down in Borthick water.

The first ae guide that they met with

Was high up in Hardhaugh swire,

The second guide that they met with

Was laigh down in Borthick water.

3‘What tidings, what tidings, my bonny guide?’‘Nae tidings, nae tidings I hae to thee;But if ye’ll gae to the Fair DodheadMony a cow’s calf I’ll let ye see.’

‘What tidings, what tidings, my bonny guide?’

‘Nae tidings, nae tidings I hae to thee;

But if ye’ll gae to the Fair Dodhead

Mony a cow’s calf I’ll let ye see.’

4When they came to the Fair Dodhead,Right hastily they clam the peel,They loosd the nolt out, ane and a’,And ranshakled the house right weel.

When they came to the Fair Dodhead,

Right hastily they clam the peel,

They loosd the nolt out, ane and a’,

And ranshakled the house right weel.

5Now Jamie’s heart it was right sair,The tear ay rowing in his eye;He pled wi the Captain to hae his gear,Or else revengëd he would be.

Now Jamie’s heart it was right sair,

The tear ay rowing in his eye;

He pled wi the Captain to hae his gear,

Or else revengëd he would be.

6Bat the Captain turnd himsel about,Said, Man, there’s naething in thy houseBut an auld sword without a scabbard,That scarcely now would fell a mouse.

Bat the Captain turnd himsel about,

Said, Man, there’s naething in thy house

But an auld sword without a scabbard,

That scarcely now would fell a mouse.

7The moon was up and the sun was down,’Twas the gryming of a new-fa’n snaw;Jamie Telfer has run eight miles barefootBetween Dodhead and Branxholm Ha.

The moon was up and the sun was down,

’Twas the gryming of a new-fa’n snaw;

Jamie Telfer has run eight miles barefoot

Between Dodhead and Branxholm Ha.

8And when he came to Branxholm HaHe shouted loud and cry’d well he,Till up bespake then auld Buccleugh,‘Whae’s this that brings the fray to me?’

And when he came to Branxholm Ha

He shouted loud and cry’d well he,

Till up bespake then auld Buccleugh,

‘Whae’s this that brings the fray to me?’

9‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer i the Fair Dodhead,And a harried man I think I be;There’s naething left i the Fair DodheadBut only wife and children three.’

‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer i the Fair Dodhead,

And a harried man I think I be;

There’s naething left i the Fair Dodhead

But only wife and children three.’

10‘Gae seek your succour frae Martin Elliot,For succour ye’s get nane frae me;Gae seek your succour where ye paid blackmail,For, man, ye never paid money to me.’

‘Gae seek your succour frae Martin Elliot,

For succour ye’s get nane frae me;

Gae seek your succour where ye paid blackmail,

For, man, ye never paid money to me.’

11Jamie he’s turnd him round about,And ay the tear blinded his eye:‘I’se never pay mail to Scott again,Nor the Fair Dodhead I’ll ever see.’

Jamie he’s turnd him round about,

And ay the tear blinded his eye:

‘I’se never pay mail to Scott again,

Nor the Fair Dodhead I’ll ever see.’

12Now Jamie is up the water-gate,Een as fast as he can drie,Till he came to the Coultart Cleugh,And there he shouted and cry’d weel he.

Now Jamie is up the water-gate,

Een as fast as he can drie,

Till he came to the Coultart Cleugh,

And there he shouted and cry’d weel he.

13Then up bespake him auld Jock Grieve,‘Whae’s this that bring[s] the fray to me?’‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer i the Fair Dodhead,And a harried man I think I be.

Then up bespake him auld Jock Grieve,

‘Whae’s this that bring[s] the fray to me?’

‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer i the Fair Dodhead,

And a harried man I think I be.

14‘There’s naething left i the Fair DodheadBut only wife and children three,And sax poor calves stand i the sta,A’ routing loud for their minnie.’

‘There’s naething left i the Fair Dodhead

But only wife and children three,

And sax poor calves stand i the sta,

A’ routing loud for their minnie.’

15‘Alack, wae’s me!’ co auld Jock Grieve,‘Alack, alack, and wae is me!For ye was married t’ the auld sister,And I t’ the younges[t] o the three.’

‘Alack, wae’s me!’ co auld Jock Grieve,

‘Alack, alack, and wae is me!

For ye was married t’ the auld sister,

And I t’ the younges[t] o the three.’

16Then he’s taen out a bonny black,It was weel fed wi corn and hay,And set Jamie Telfer on his back,To the Catlock hill to take the fray.

Then he’s taen out a bonny black,

It was weel fed wi corn and hay,

And set Jamie Telfer on his back,

To the Catlock hill to take the fray.

17When he came to the Catlock hill,He shouted loud and cry’d weel he;‘Whae’s that, whae’s that?’ co Martin’s Hab,‘Whae’s this that brings the fray to me?’

When he came to the Catlock hill,

He shouted loud and cry’d weel he;

‘Whae’s that, whae’s that?’ co Martin’s Hab,

‘Whae’s this that brings the fray to me?’

18‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer i the Fair Dodhead,And a harried man I think I be;There’s neathing left i the Fair DodheadBut only wife and children three.’

‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer i the Fair Dodhead,

And a harried man I think I be;

There’s neathing left i the Fair Dodhead

But only wife and children three.’

19‘Alack, wae’s me!’ co Martin’s Hab,‘Alack, awae, my heart is sair!I never came bye the Fair DodheadThat ever I faund thy basket bare.’

‘Alack, wae’s me!’ co Martin’s Hab,

‘Alack, awae, my heart is sair!

I never came bye the Fair Dodhead

That ever I faund thy basket bare.’

20Then he’s taen out a bonny black,It was weel fed wi corn and hay,And set Jamie Telfer on his backTo the Pricken haugh to take the fray.

Then he’s taen out a bonny black,

It was weel fed wi corn and hay,

And set Jamie Telfer on his back

To the Pricken haugh to take the fray.

21When he came to the Pricken haugh,He shouted loud and cry’d weel he;Up then bespake auld Martin Elliot,‘Whae’s this that brings the fray to me?’

When he came to the Pricken haugh,

He shouted loud and cry’d weel he;

Up then bespake auld Martin Elliot,

‘Whae’s this that brings the fray to me?’

22‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer i the Fair Dodhead,And a harried man I think I be;There’s naething left i the Fair DodheadBut only wife and children three.’

‘It’s I, Jamie Telfer i the Fair Dodhead,

And a harried man I think I be;

There’s naething left i the Fair Dodhead

But only wife and children three.’

23‘Ever alack!’ can Martin say,‘And ay my heart is sair for thee!But fy, gar ca on Simmy my son,And see that he come hastily.

‘Ever alack!’ can Martin say,

‘And ay my heart is sair for thee!

But fy, gar ca on Simmy my son,

And see that he come hastily.

24‘Fy, gar warn the water-side,Gar warn it soon and hastily;Them that winna ride for Telfer’s kye,Let them never look i the face o me.

‘Fy, gar warn the water-side,

Gar warn it soon and hastily;

Them that winna ride for Telfer’s kye,

Let them never look i the face o me.

25‘Gar warn the water, braid and wide,And warn the Currers i the shaw;When ye come in at the Hermitage slack,Warn doughty Willie o Gorrenberry.’

‘Gar warn the water, braid and wide,

And warn the Currers i the shaw;

When ye come in at the Hermitage slack,

Warn doughty Willie o Gorrenberry.’

26The gear was driven the Frostily up,From the Frostily into the plain;When Simmie lookëd him afore,He saw the kye right fast driving.

The gear was driven the Frostily up,

From the Frostily into the plain;

When Simmie lookëd him afore,

He saw the kye right fast driving.

27‘Whae drives the kye,’ then Simmy can say,‘To make an outspeckle o me?’‘It’s I, the Captain o Bewcastle, Simmy,I winna lain my name frae thee.’

‘Whae drives the kye,’ then Simmy can say,

‘To make an outspeckle o me?’

‘It’s I, the Captain o Bewcastle, Simmy,

I winna lain my name frae thee.’

28‘O will ye let the gear gae back?Or will ye do ony thing for me?’‘I winna let the gear gae back,Nor naething, Simmy, I’ll do for the[e].

‘O will ye let the gear gae back?

Or will ye do ony thing for me?’

‘I winna let the gear gae back,

Nor naething, Simmy, I’ll do for the[e].

29‘But I’ll drive Jamie Telfer’s kyeIn spite o Jamie Telfer’s teeth and thee;’‘Then by my sooth,’ can Simmy say,‘I’ll ware my dame’s calfskin on thee.

‘But I’ll drive Jamie Telfer’s kye

In spite o Jamie Telfer’s teeth and thee;’

‘Then by my sooth,’ can Simmy say,

‘I’ll ware my dame’s calfskin on thee.

30‘Fa on them, lads!’ can Simmy say,‘Fy, fa on them cruelly!For or they win to the Ritter fordMony toom saddle there shall be.’

‘Fa on them, lads!’ can Simmy say,

‘Fy, fa on them cruelly!

For or they win to the Ritter ford

Mony toom saddle there shall be.’

31But Simmy was striken oer the head,And thro the napskape it is gane,And Moscrop made a dolefull rageWhen Simmy on the ground lay slain.

But Simmy was striken oer the head,

And thro the napskape it is gane,

And Moscrop made a dolefull rage

When Simmy on the ground lay slain.

32‘Fy, lay on them!’ co Martin Elliot,‘Fy, lay on them cruelly!For ere they win to the Kershop fordMony toom saddle there shall be.’

‘Fy, lay on them!’ co Martin Elliot,

‘Fy, lay on them cruelly!

For ere they win to the Kershop ford

Mony toom saddle there shall be.’

33John o Biggam he was slain,And John o Barlow, as I heard say,And fifteen o the Captain’s menLay bleeding on the ground that day.

John o Biggam he was slain,

And John o Barlow, as I heard say,

And fifteen o the Captain’s men

Lay bleeding on the ground that day.

34The Captain was shot through the head,And also through the left ba-stane;Tho he had livd this hundred years,He’d neer been loed by woman again.

The Captain was shot through the head,

And also through the left ba-stane;

Tho he had livd this hundred years,

He’d neer been loed by woman again.

35The word is gane unto his bride,Een in the bower where she lay,That her good lord was in ’s enemy’s landSince into Tiviotdale he led the way.

The word is gane unto his bride,

Een in the bower where she lay,

That her good lord was in ’s enemy’s land

Since into Tiviotdale he led the way.

36‘I loord a had a winding sheedAnd helpd to put it oer his head,Or he’d been taen in ’s enemy’s lands,Since he oer Liddle his men did lead.’

‘I loord a had a winding sheed

And helpd to put it oer his head,

Or he’d been taen in ’s enemy’s lands,

Since he oer Liddle his men did lead.’

37There was a man in our company,And his name was Willie Wudëspurs:‘There is a house in the Stanegarside,If any man will ride with us.’

There was a man in our company,

And his name was Willie Wudëspurs:

‘There is a house in the Stanegarside,

If any man will ride with us.’

38When they came to the Stanegarside,They bangd wi trees and brake the door,They loosd the kye out, ane and a’,And set them furth our lads before.

When they came to the Stanegarside,

They bangd wi trees and brake the door,

They loosd the kye out, ane and a’,

And set them furth our lads before.

39There was an auld wif ayont the fire,A wee bit o the Captain’s kin:‘Whae loo[s]es out the Captain’s kye,And sae mony o the Captain’s men wi[t]hin?’

There was an auld wif ayont the fire,

A wee bit o the Captain’s kin:

‘Whae loo[s]es out the Captain’s kye,

And sae mony o the Captain’s men wi[t]hin?’

40‘I, Willie Wudëspurs, let out the kye,I winna lain my name frae thee,And I’ll loose out the Captain’s kyeIn spite o the Captain’s teeth and thee.’

‘I, Willie Wudëspurs, let out the kye,

I winna lain my name frae thee,

And I’ll loose out the Captain’s kye

In spite o the Captain’s teeth and thee.’

41Now on they came to the Fair Dodhead,They were a welcome sight to see,And instead of his ain ten milk-kyeJamie Telfer’s gotten thirty and three.

Now on they came to the Fair Dodhead,

They were a welcome sight to see,

And instead of his ain ten milk-kye

Jamie Telfer’s gotten thirty and three.

162. feel fed:cf.202.

P. 34 b, 525 a.B.The ballad has no title in the Glenriddell MS. The table of contents was the work of a copyist.

P. 39 b. Thirteen stanzas ofCare given, in the course of an article on The Burning of the House of Frendraucht, in the Aberdeen Magazine, 1832, II, 561.

P. 44.A a.Collation with Sharpe’s MS. and with another copy of the same pieces in “North Country Ballads,” Miscellanea Curiosa, Abbotsford Library.

41. Well, turn.125. were.154. Let Rothiemay may ly, may ly. But Rothiemay lie,written under, probably as an emendation by Sharpe(not in Scott).164. Turnin Scott, an easy misreading ofTwin.261. Ahon.With a few slight differences of spelling.wein92is a misprint forhe.

41. Well, turn.

125. were.

154. Let Rothiemay may ly, may ly. But Rothiemay lie,written under, probably as an emendation by Sharpe(not in Scott).

164. Turnin Scott, an easy misreading ofTwin.

261. Ahon.With a few slight differences of spelling.

wein92is a misprint forhe.

IV, 522 a. The Satyr begins:

O world of woes, O grief of griefs, to seeThis damned den wher sure brave sp’rits did dye.

O world of woes, O grief of griefs, to see

This damned den wher sure brave sp’rits did dye.

These verses occur in a manuscript collection of C. K. Sharpe’s (“second collection”), with slight verbal differences. They are written in long lines not divided into stanzas. Sir W. Scott remarks, Sharpe’s Ballad Book, 1880, p. 145, “I conceive Ballindalloch, being admitted by Grant, set upon him, and that there should be asterisks between the fourth line [the second stanza] and those which follow.”

11. Away, away now, James the Grant.12. You’ll.13. For Ballendalloch is at your gate.21,4. Badendalloch.22. Nor I.23. Set up my gat both.24. And let.31. James the.34. no get so.43. he get but one mile in the highland hill.44. defy the.

11. Away, away now, James the Grant.

12. You’ll.

13. For Ballendalloch is at your gate.

21,4. Badendalloch.

22. Nor I.

23. Set up my gat both.

24. And let.

31. James the.

34. no get so.

43. he get but one mile in the highland hill.

44. defy the.

P. 52.A.Found in a MS. of Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, and in “North Country Ballads,” MiscellaneaCuriosa, Abbotsford Library (another copy of the same pieces), with the following variations.

Sharpe. 13. The Southeron lords to.

21. And bonny: Pitmedden,and always.22. bald.24. And the.34. Sat on.52. Cried, Brave soldiers.55. my steed back.56. But let me never see thee.63. And his.74. That dang Pitmedden’s middle in three.81,2. rade.83. But bonny John Seton of Pitmedden.91. Then up it came a.92. from Drimmorow.93. Says, There thou lies.94. ride thee thorow.101. Craigyvar (always): man.102. your fiddle.103. land.121. They’ve taken.144. ring.151. For cannons roars: summer’s.152. Like thunder.154. cannons fair.

21. And bonny: Pitmedden,and always.

22. bald.

24. And the.

34. Sat on.

52. Cried, Brave soldiers.

55. my steed back.

56. But let me never see thee.

63. And his.

74. That dang Pitmedden’s middle in three.

81,2. rade.

83. But bonny John Seton of Pitmedden.

91. Then up it came a.

92. from Drimmorow.

93. Says, There thou lies.

94. ride thee thorow.

101. Craigyvar (always): man.

102. your fiddle.

103. land.

121. They’ve taken.

144. ring.

151. For cannons roars: summer’s.

152. Like thunder.

154. cannons fair.

Scott (also).—31. lands.

None of the readings in Aytoun given in the notes at p. 53 were derived from Sharpe’s copy exceptA83,and all of them may now be dropped.

P. 56. In a small MS. volume with the title “Songs” on the cover, entirely in Sharpe’s handwriting.A ais found at p. 24 (with some variations, undoubtedly arbitrary) prefaced with these words: “This song [referring to a copy presently to be given], like most others, would suffer amendment: here follows a copy somewhat improved. I have availed myself of a fragment in a former page of this work, and introduced a stanza [9] marked *, picked up in Perthshire.” HadA abeen known to be an “improved” copy, it would not have been made so prominent.

The fragment (of slight value) was “from the recitation of Miss Oliphant of Gask, now Mrs Nairn” (afterwards Lady Nairne). It is (p. 21)—disregarding things misunderstood or avowedly added:

‘Come down, come down, my lady Ogilvie,Come down, and tell us your dower:’‘It’s east and west yon wan water side,And it’s down by the banks of the Airly.‘Had my lord Ogilvie been at hame,As he was wi King Charlie,There durst nae a Campbel in a’ ArgyleAvowd to the plundering o Airly.’‘Come down, come down, ye lady fair,Come down, and kiss me fairly:’‘I wunna come down, ye fause Argyle,If ye sudna leave a standing stane in Airly.

‘Come down, come down, my lady Ogilvie,Come down, and tell us your dower:’‘It’s east and west yon wan water side,And it’s down by the banks of the Airly.

‘Come down, come down, my lady Ogilvie,

Come down, and tell us your dower:’

‘It’s east and west yon wan water side,

And it’s down by the banks of the Airly.

‘Had my lord Ogilvie been at hame,As he was wi King Charlie,There durst nae a Campbel in a’ ArgyleAvowd to the plundering o Airly.’

‘Had my lord Ogilvie been at hame,

As he was wi King Charlie,

There durst nae a Campbel in a’ Argyle

Avowd to the plundering o Airly.’

‘Come down, come down, ye lady fair,Come down, and kiss me fairly:’‘I wunna come down, ye fause Argyle,If ye sudna leave a standing stane in Airly.

‘Come down, come down, ye lady fair,

Come down, and kiss me fairly:’

‘I wunna come down, ye fause Argyle,

If ye sudna leave a standing stane in Airly.

The unimproved copy, p. 22, is as follows.

1It fell on a day, and a bonny summer day,When corn grew green and yellow,That there fell out a great disputeBetween Argyll and Airly.2Argyll has raisd an hundred men,An hundred men, and so many,And he is away by the back of DunkeldFor to plunder the bonny house of Airly.3Lady Margaret looks oer her bower-window,And O but she looks weary!And there she spied the great Argyll,Coming to plunder the bonny house of Airly.4‘Come down, come down, Lady Margret,’ he said,‘Come down, and kiss me fairly:’‘O I will not kiss the great Argyll,If he should not leave a standing stone in Airly.’5He hath taken her by the left shoulder,Says, Lady, where lyes thy dowry?‘It’s up and it’s down by the bonny bank-side,Amongst the planting of Airly.’6They have sought it up, they have sought it down,They have sought it both late and early,And they have found it in the bonny plumb-treeThat shines on the bowling-green of Airly.7He hath taken her by the middle so small,And O but she lookd weary!He hath laid her down by the bonny burn-sideTill he hath plunderd the bonny house of Airly.8‘If my good lord were at home this night,As he is with Prince Charly,Nouther you nor no Scottish lordDurst have set a foot on the bowling-green of Airly.9‘Ten bonny sons I have born unto him,And the eleventh neer saw his daddy;Although I had an hundred more,I would give them all to Prince Charly.’

1It fell on a day, and a bonny summer day,When corn grew green and yellow,That there fell out a great disputeBetween Argyll and Airly.

It fell on a day, and a bonny summer day,

When corn grew green and yellow,

That there fell out a great dispute

Between Argyll and Airly.

2Argyll has raisd an hundred men,An hundred men, and so many,And he is away by the back of DunkeldFor to plunder the bonny house of Airly.

Argyll has raisd an hundred men,

An hundred men, and so many,

And he is away by the back of Dunkeld

For to plunder the bonny house of Airly.

3Lady Margaret looks oer her bower-window,And O but she looks weary!And there she spied the great Argyll,Coming to plunder the bonny house of Airly.

Lady Margaret looks oer her bower-window,

And O but she looks weary!

And there she spied the great Argyll,

Coming to plunder the bonny house of Airly.

4‘Come down, come down, Lady Margret,’ he said,‘Come down, and kiss me fairly:’‘O I will not kiss the great Argyll,If he should not leave a standing stone in Airly.’

‘Come down, come down, Lady Margret,’ he said,

‘Come down, and kiss me fairly:’

‘O I will not kiss the great Argyll,

If he should not leave a standing stone in Airly.’

5He hath taken her by the left shoulder,Says, Lady, where lyes thy dowry?‘It’s up and it’s down by the bonny bank-side,Amongst the planting of Airly.’

He hath taken her by the left shoulder,

Says, Lady, where lyes thy dowry?

‘It’s up and it’s down by the bonny bank-side,

Amongst the planting of Airly.’

6They have sought it up, they have sought it down,They have sought it both late and early,And they have found it in the bonny plumb-treeThat shines on the bowling-green of Airly.

They have sought it up, they have sought it down,

They have sought it both late and early,

And they have found it in the bonny plumb-tree

That shines on the bowling-green of Airly.

7He hath taken her by the middle so small,And O but she lookd weary!He hath laid her down by the bonny burn-sideTill he hath plunderd the bonny house of Airly.

He hath taken her by the middle so small,

And O but she lookd weary!

He hath laid her down by the bonny burn-side

Till he hath plunderd the bonny house of Airly.

8‘If my good lord were at home this night,As he is with Prince Charly,Nouther you nor no Scottish lordDurst have set a foot on the bowling-green of Airly.

‘If my good lord were at home this night,

As he is with Prince Charly,

Nouther you nor no Scottish lord

Durst have set a foot on the bowling-green of Airly.

9‘Ten bonny sons I have born unto him,And the eleventh neer saw his daddy;Although I had an hundred more,I would give them all to Prince Charly.’

‘Ten bonny sons I have born unto him,

And the eleventh neer saw his daddy;

Although I had an hundred more,

I would give them all to Prince Charly.’

58 c. This is one of the pieces contained in “The Old Lady’s Collection,” No 1. The differences from Skene (save spelling) are as follows:

31. ore castell-waa.33. an his three hundred men.41,2. Come doun the stare, Lady Airly, he says, an kiss me fairly.44. Altho ye live no.52. An tell fare layes yer.72. An he leed.102(72). his.103(73). An tho.104(74). I wad gie them a’.

31. ore castell-waa.

33. an his three hundred men.

41,2. Come doun the stare, Lady Airly, he says, an kiss me fairly.

44. Altho ye live no.

52. An tell fare layes yer.

72. An he leed.

102(72). his.

103(73). An tho.

104(74). I wad gie them a’.

P. 66.B a.A copy of this version in C. K. Sharpe’s papers, “written from recitation in Nithisdale, November, 1814,” shows that improvements had been introduced by two hands, one of them Sharpe’s, neither of them the writer’s. The changes are of no radical importance; simply of the familiar kind which almostevery editor has, for some reason, felt himself called upon to make. It may be thought that they are no more worth indicating than they were worth making, but it has been an object in this book to give things exactly as they were delivered. The original readings are as follows.

11. CforCassilisthroughout.13, so.14. Till.24. cast.31. towanting.32,3, give.34. rings of her fingers.41,2. you.43. hilt of.44, 94, 164. no more.61,3. Jackie.73, 83. farmer’s barn.83, 113. most.84. crae.91,2. Owanting.103, 111, 143. on water.111. Many a time have.174. mother bore me.183. Andwanting.

11. CforCassilisthroughout.

13, so.

14. Till.

24. cast.

31. towanting.

32,3, give.

34. rings of her fingers.

41,2. you.

43. hilt of.

44, 94, 164. no more.

61,3. Jackie.

73, 83. farmer’s barn.

83, 113. most.

84. crae.

91,2. Owanting.

103, 111, 143. on water.

111. Many a time have.

174. mother bore me.

183. Andwanting.

73.

Communicated to the Journal of The Gypsy Society, II, 85, by Mr John Sampson, from the dictation of Lias Robinson, a Gypsy. A translation into Gypsy, by Robinson and his brothers, is given at p. 84 of the same.

1A band of gypsies, all in a road,All so black and brawny, ohAway come a lady all dressed in silk,To follow the roving gypsies, ohThe gypsies, oh!The gypsies, oh!To follow the roving gypsies, oh!2Her husband came home at ten o’clock of night,And asked for his lady fair;The servant informed him very soonShe had gone with the roving gypsies.3‘Saddle to me my bonny gray mare,Saddle to me my pony;I will go where the green grass grow,To find out the roving gypsies.4‘Last night she slept in a fair feather-bed,And blankets by bonins;Tonight she sleeps in a cold shed-barn,Through following the roving gypsies.5‘Why did you leave your houses and your lands?Why did you leave your babies?Why did you leave your decent married man,To follow the roving gypsies?’6‘What cares I for my houses and my lands?What cares I for my babies?What cares I for my decent married man?I will go with the roving gypsies.’

1A band of gypsies, all in a road,All so black and brawny, ohAway come a lady all dressed in silk,To follow the roving gypsies, ohThe gypsies, oh!The gypsies, oh!To follow the roving gypsies, oh!

A band of gypsies, all in a road,

All so black and brawny, oh

Away come a lady all dressed in silk,

To follow the roving gypsies, oh

The gypsies, oh!

To follow the roving gypsies, oh!

2Her husband came home at ten o’clock of night,And asked for his lady fair;The servant informed him very soonShe had gone with the roving gypsies.

Her husband came home at ten o’clock of night,

And asked for his lady fair;

The servant informed him very soon

She had gone with the roving gypsies.

3‘Saddle to me my bonny gray mare,Saddle to me my pony;I will go where the green grass grow,To find out the roving gypsies.

‘Saddle to me my bonny gray mare,

Saddle to me my pony;

I will go where the green grass grow,

To find out the roving gypsies.

4‘Last night she slept in a fair feather-bed,And blankets by bonins;Tonight she sleeps in a cold shed-barn,Through following the roving gypsies.

‘Last night she slept in a fair feather-bed,

And blankets by bonins;

Tonight she sleeps in a cold shed-barn,

Through following the roving gypsies.

5‘Why did you leave your houses and your lands?Why did you leave your babies?Why did you leave your decent married man,To follow the roving gypsies?’

‘Why did you leave your houses and your lands?

Why did you leave your babies?

Why did you leave your decent married man,

To follow the roving gypsies?’

6‘What cares I for my houses and my lands?What cares I for my babies?What cares I for my decent married man?I will go with the roving gypsies.’

‘What cares I for my houses and my lands?

What cares I for my babies?

What cares I for my decent married man?

I will go with the roving gypsies.’

12.Var.and bonny.

From a small MS. volume, “Songs,” entirely in C. K. Sharpe’s handwriting, p. 32 (corresponding toB11,D6,E7.)

Yestreen I rade yon wan water,Wi my gude lord before me;The day I maun pit down my bonnie fit and wade,What ever may come oer me.

Yestreen I rade yon wan water,

Wi my gude lord before me;

The day I maun pit down my bonnie fit and wade,

What ever may come oer me.

P. 76 a, 4th paragraph, 1st line. The date 1666 is corrected to 1645 by Cant in his Errata.

77. In the small MS. volume, “Songs,” entirely in C. K. Sharpe’s handwriting, p. 26,a3 is given “from the Catalogue of the Edinburgh Exhibition of Pictures, 1810” as here, excepting that in the second line the reading is (absurdly) “royal kin.”

P. 79. Fragment from Findlay MSS, I, 209, derived from Mrs McKenzie, Advie, Morayshire.

1‘O are ye sleepin, baul B[r]achlie, or are ye at hame?For the caterans are at ye, an a’ your kye ’s taen.’2. . . . . . . .‘Ye’ll fling your rocks, lasses, we’ll fecht them our lane.3‘We’ll fecht them an fleg them, an gar them rin hame,We’ll stand them in battle, as gin we were men.4‘There’s four-an-twenty milk-white kine in Glentanner free,In the parks o Glentanner sae fain’s I wad be!’5He’s called on his lady to give him his gun:‘I’m gaun oot, Katie, but I’ll never come home.’6She’s a’ her gates wide open flung, an she’s welcomed them in,An she sleeps wi the villain that slew her baron.

1‘O are ye sleepin, baul B[r]achlie, or are ye at hame?For the caterans are at ye, an a’ your kye ’s taen.’

‘O are ye sleepin, baul B[r]achlie, or are ye at hame?

For the caterans are at ye, an a’ your kye ’s taen.’

2. . . . . . . .‘Ye’ll fling your rocks, lasses, we’ll fecht them our lane.

. . . . . . . .

‘Ye’ll fling your rocks, lasses, we’ll fecht them our lane.

3‘We’ll fecht them an fleg them, an gar them rin hame,We’ll stand them in battle, as gin we were men.

‘We’ll fecht them an fleg them, an gar them rin hame,

We’ll stand them in battle, as gin we were men.

4‘There’s four-an-twenty milk-white kine in Glentanner free,In the parks o Glentanner sae fain’s I wad be!’

‘There’s four-an-twenty milk-white kine in Glentanner free,

In the parks o Glentanner sae fain’s I wad be!’

5He’s called on his lady to give him his gun:‘I’m gaun oot, Katie, but I’ll never come home.’

He’s called on his lady to give him his gun:

‘I’m gaun oot, Katie, but I’ll never come home.’

6She’s a’ her gates wide open flung, an she’s welcomed them in,An she sleeps wi the villain that slew her baron.

She’s a’ her gates wide open flung, an she’s welcomed them in,

An she sleeps wi the villain that slew her baron.

11. Baulbachlie.52. homeoriginally;altered toin.The stanzas have been arranged by the light ofA.

11. Baulbachlie.

52. homeoriginally;altered toin.

The stanzas have been arranged by the light ofA.

87.D, as it stands in “The Old Lady’s Collection,” No 25, ‘The Barron of Breachell.’

1‘Barron of Breachell, are ye withen?The sharp sourd is att yer gate, Breachell, will gar yer blod spine.’2‘The’r at yer gate, Brichell, the’r nether men nor lads,Bat silly heard widifaus, we belted plaids.3‘O if I had a man,’ she says, ‘as it louks I haa nean,He widne sit in the house an see my kay tean.4‘Bat, lasses, tak doun yer rokes, an we will defend,’. . . . . . . . . .5‘O kiss me, d[ea]r Peggey, an gee me doun my gun,I may well gaa out, bat I ill never come in.’6Out spak his brother, says, Gee me your hand,I [ill] fight in your caus as lang as I may stan.7Fan the Barron of Brechell came to the closs,A braver barron never read upon horse.8. . . . . . . . . .‘I think the silly heard widdefus are groun fighten men.’9First they killed an, and sayn they killed tua,An the Barron of Brichell is dead an awa.10They killed Sandy Gordon, Sandy Gordon of the Knok,The miller an his three sons, that lived att Glenmuke.11First they killed ane, an sayn they killed tua,An the Barron of Brichell is dead an awaa.12Up came Crigevar an a’ his fighten men:‘Had I come an houre sinner, he sudna ben slain.’13For first they killed an, an sayn they killed tua,An the Barron of Breachell is dead an awa.14‘O came ye by Brechell, lads? was ye in ther?Saw ye Peggie Doun, raving her hear?’15‘We came by Breache[l], lads, we was in ther;We saa Peggie Doun, curling her hear.16‘She ate we them, drank we them, bad them come inTo her haas an her bours that had slain her barron.’17‘Come in, gentelmen, ate an drink we me;Tho ye have slain my barron, I ha na ill well att thee.’18‘O was ye att Glenmuck, lads? was ye in ther?Saa ye Catren Gordon, raving her hear?’19‘We was att Gleanmuck, lads, we was in ther,We saa Catren Gordon, ravi[n]g her hear.20‘We the tear in her eay,. . . . . .Seven bearns att her foot, the eaght on her knee.21They killed Peater Gordon, Peater Gordon of the Knok.The miller an his three sons, that lives att Glenmuck.22First they killed an, an sayn they killed twa,An the Barron of Breachell is dead an awaa.

1‘Barron of Breachell, are ye withen?The sharp sourd is att yer gate, Breachell, will gar yer blod spine.’

‘Barron of Breachell, are ye withen?

The sharp sourd is att yer gate, Breachell, will gar yer blod spine.’

2‘The’r at yer gate, Brichell, the’r nether men nor lads,Bat silly heard widifaus, we belted plaids.

‘The’r at yer gate, Brichell, the’r nether men nor lads,

Bat silly heard widifaus, we belted plaids.

3‘O if I had a man,’ she says, ‘as it louks I haa nean,He widne sit in the house an see my kay tean.

‘O if I had a man,’ she says, ‘as it louks I haa nean,

He widne sit in the house an see my kay tean.

4‘Bat, lasses, tak doun yer rokes, an we will defend,’. . . . . . . . . .

‘Bat, lasses, tak doun yer rokes, an we will defend,’

. . . . . . . . . .

5‘O kiss me, d[ea]r Peggey, an gee me doun my gun,I may well gaa out, bat I ill never come in.’

‘O kiss me, d[ea]r Peggey, an gee me doun my gun,

I may well gaa out, bat I ill never come in.’

6Out spak his brother, says, Gee me your hand,I [ill] fight in your caus as lang as I may stan.

Out spak his brother, says, Gee me your hand,

I [ill] fight in your caus as lang as I may stan.

7Fan the Barron of Brechell came to the closs,A braver barron never read upon horse.

Fan the Barron of Brechell came to the closs,

A braver barron never read upon horse.

8. . . . . . . . . .‘I think the silly heard widdefus are groun fighten men.’

. . . . . . . . . .

‘I think the silly heard widdefus are groun fighten men.’

9First they killed an, and sayn they killed tua,An the Barron of Brichell is dead an awa.

First they killed an, and sayn they killed tua,

An the Barron of Brichell is dead an awa.

10They killed Sandy Gordon, Sandy Gordon of the Knok,The miller an his three sons, that lived att Glenmuke.

They killed Sandy Gordon, Sandy Gordon of the Knok,

The miller an his three sons, that lived att Glenmuke.

11First they killed ane, an sayn they killed tua,An the Barron of Brichell is dead an awaa.

First they killed ane, an sayn they killed tua,

An the Barron of Brichell is dead an awaa.

12Up came Crigevar an a’ his fighten men:‘Had I come an houre sinner, he sudna ben slain.’

Up came Crigevar an a’ his fighten men:

‘Had I come an houre sinner, he sudna ben slain.’

13For first they killed an, an sayn they killed tua,An the Barron of Breachell is dead an awa.

For first they killed an, an sayn they killed tua,

An the Barron of Breachell is dead an awa.

14‘O came ye by Brechell, lads? was ye in ther?Saw ye Peggie Doun, raving her hear?’

‘O came ye by Brechell, lads? was ye in ther?

Saw ye Peggie Doun, raving her hear?’

15‘We came by Breache[l], lads, we was in ther;We saa Peggie Doun, curling her hear.

‘We came by Breache[l], lads, we was in ther;

We saa Peggie Doun, curling her hear.

16‘She ate we them, drank we them, bad them come inTo her haas an her bours that had slain her barron.’

‘She ate we them, drank we them, bad them come in

To her haas an her bours that had slain her barron.’

17‘Come in, gentelmen, ate an drink we me;Tho ye have slain my barron, I ha na ill well att thee.’

‘Come in, gentelmen, ate an drink we me;

Tho ye have slain my barron, I ha na ill well att thee.’

18‘O was ye att Glenmuck, lads? was ye in ther?Saa ye Catren Gordon, raving her hear?’

‘O was ye att Glenmuck, lads? was ye in ther?

Saa ye Catren Gordon, raving her hear?’

19‘We was att Gleanmuck, lads, we was in ther,We saa Catren Gordon, ravi[n]g her hear.

‘We was att Gleanmuck, lads, we was in ther,

We saa Catren Gordon, ravi[n]g her hear.

20‘We the tear in her eay,. . . . . .Seven bearns att her foot, the eaght on her knee.

‘We the tear in her eay,. . . . . .

Seven bearns att her foot, the eaght on her knee.

21They killed Peater Gordon, Peater Gordon of the Knok.The miller an his three sons, that lives att Glenmuck.

They killed Peater Gordon, Peater Gordon of the Knok.

The miller an his three sons, that lives att Glenmuck.

22First they killed an, an sayn they killed twa,An the Barron of Breachell is dead an awaa.

First they killed an, an sayn they killed twa,

An the Barron of Breachell is dead an awaa.

P. 116 b. Add at the end of the first paragraph: Robert Patten, The History of the Rebellion in the Year 1715, 4th ed., 1745, p. 47.

123. From “The Old Lady’s Collection,” second part, p. 6.

1The king has written a brod letter,An sealled it our with gould,An sent it to Lord Darnwater,To read it if he could.2Whan Lord Darnwater saa the letter,A light laughter lough he;Bat or he read it to an endThe tear blinded his eye,An sighan said him good Lord Darnwater,I am near the day to dei.3Out spak his lady,In child-bed wher she lay;‘My d[ea]r Lord Darnweter, what is to becom of me,An my young famely?’4‘I will leave my young famelyAs well as I cane;For I will leave to my ladyThe third part of my land,An I will live to my e[l]dest son,The tua part of my land.5‘An I will live to my eldest daught[er]Five thousand pound of gold,An I will live to my second daughterThree thousand pound of gold.6‘Ye saddel to me my littel gray horse,That I had wont to ried;. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .7The first stape Lord Darnwater staped,He stumbled on a ston;Said Lord Darnwater,I feer I ill never come home.8When he came to fair London city,An near unt[o] the toun,‘A trater! a trater!’ said they,‘A trator we see!’9‘A trater?’ said good Lord Darnwater,‘A trator I nier could be,Unless it was bringen three hundred menTo fight for young Jamie.’10But when he came to Tour HillBefor him came a bold man,. . . . . . . .With a broad aix in his hand.11. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .‘Hear is five ginies of gold an my green velvet coat,For to be your fee.’12‘Ye nobels all,Come hear to see me die,An ye peopell of fair Sco[t]land,Be kind to my family.’13Lord Darnuater was dumed to die, to die,Good Lord Darnwater was dumed to die.

1The king has written a brod letter,An sealled it our with gould,An sent it to Lord Darnwater,To read it if he could.

The king has written a brod letter,

An sealled it our with gould,

An sent it to Lord Darnwater,

To read it if he could.

2Whan Lord Darnwater saa the letter,A light laughter lough he;Bat or he read it to an endThe tear blinded his eye,An sighan said him good Lord Darnwater,I am near the day to dei.

Whan Lord Darnwater saa the letter,

A light laughter lough he;

Bat or he read it to an end

The tear blinded his eye,

An sighan said him good Lord Darnwater,

I am near the day to dei.

3Out spak his lady,In child-bed wher she lay;‘My d[ea]r Lord Darnweter, what is to becom of me,An my young famely?’

Out spak his lady,

In child-bed wher she lay;

‘My d[ea]r Lord Darnweter, what is to becom of me,

An my young famely?’

4‘I will leave my young famelyAs well as I cane;For I will leave to my ladyThe third part of my land,An I will live to my e[l]dest son,The tua part of my land.

‘I will leave my young famely

As well as I cane;

For I will leave to my lady

The third part of my land,

An I will live to my e[l]dest son,

The tua part of my land.

5‘An I will live to my eldest daught[er]Five thousand pound of gold,An I will live to my second daughterThree thousand pound of gold.

‘An I will live to my eldest daught[er]

Five thousand pound of gold,

An I will live to my second daughter

Three thousand pound of gold.

6‘Ye saddel to me my littel gray horse,That I had wont to ried;. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .

‘Ye saddel to me my littel gray horse,

That I had wont to ried;

. . . . . . . .

7The first stape Lord Darnwater staped,He stumbled on a ston;Said Lord Darnwater,I feer I ill never come home.

The first stape Lord Darnwater staped,

He stumbled on a ston;

Said Lord Darnwater,

I feer I ill never come home.

8When he came to fair London city,An near unt[o] the toun,‘A trater! a trater!’ said they,‘A trator we see!’

When he came to fair London city,

An near unt[o] the toun,

‘A trater! a trater!’ said they,

‘A trator we see!’

9‘A trater?’ said good Lord Darnwater,‘A trator I nier could be,Unless it was bringen three hundred menTo fight for young Jamie.’

‘A trater?’ said good Lord Darnwater,

‘A trator I nier could be,

Unless it was bringen three hundred men

To fight for young Jamie.’

10But when he came to Tour HillBefor him came a bold man,. . . . . . . .With a broad aix in his hand.

But when he came to Tour Hill

Befor him came a bold man,

. . . . . . . .

With a broad aix in his hand.

11. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .‘Hear is five ginies of gold an my green velvet coat,For to be your fee.’

. . . . . . . .

‘Hear is five ginies of gold an my green velvet coat,

For to be your fee.’

12‘Ye nobels all,Come hear to see me die,An ye peopell of fair Sco[t]land,Be kind to my family.’

‘Ye nobels all,

Come hear to see me die,

An ye peopell of fair Sco[t]land,

Be kind to my family.’

13Lord Darnuater was dumed to die, to die,Good Lord Darnwater was dumed to die.

Lord Darnuater was dumed to die, to die,

Good Lord Darnwater was dumed to die.

25. sigh an.

26. amdoubtful.

44, 54, 93. 3.

45. will livetwice.

46, 53. 2.

52, 113. 5.

73, 91. L. D.

132. Daruan Water.

P. 160 ff., 522 ff.

Findlay’s MSS, I, 181; The Dowie Dens o Yarrow, “from Banffshire, through James Milne, Arbroath.”

1There lived a lady in the South,Ye would scarcely find her marrow;She was courted by nine gentlemenAn a ploughman-lad frae Yarrow.2Ae nicht the nine sat drinkin wineTo the lass wha had nae marrow,When the ploughman swore, tho they were a scoreHe wad fecht them a’ in Yarrow.3It’s he’s gane ower yon high, high hill,And doon yon glen sae narrow,An there he saw nine armëd men,To fecht wi him in Yarrow.4‘There’s nine o you an I’m but ane,An that’s an unequal marrow,But wi this gude blade and powerfu armI’ll lay you low on Yarrow.’5It’s three he slew, and three withdrew,And three lay dead on Yarrow,But in behind cam her brother John,An pierced his body thorough.6‘Gae hame, gae hame, you fause young man,An tell your sister sorrow,That her true-love John lies dead and goneIn the dowie dens o Yarrow.’7‘O father dear, I’ve dreamed a dream,I’m feared it will prove sorrow;I dreamed I was puin the heather-bells sweetOn the bonny braes o Yarrow.’8‘O daughter dear, your dream is read,I’m feared it will prove sorrow;Your true-love John lies dead and goneIn the dowie dens o Yarrow.’9It’s she’s gane ower yon high, high hill,An doon yon glen sae narrow,An there she saw her true-love JohnLyin cauld an dead on Yarrow.10She washed his face an combed his hair,Wi muckle grief an sorrow,She rowed him i the plaid she wore,In the dowie dens o Yarrow.11Her hair it was three quarters lang,The colour being yellow;She tied it round his middle sma,An carried him hame frae Yarrow.12‘O daughter dear, I pray forbear,I’ll wed you to another marrow;I’ll wed you to some fitter matchThan the lad that died on Yarrow.’13‘O father dear, you hae seven sons,Should you wed them a’ to-morrow,A fairer flower never grew in JuneThan the lad that died on Yarrow.’14This lady, being six months with childTo the ploughman lad of Yarrow,She fell into her father’s armsAn died wi grief on Yarrow.

1There lived a lady in the South,Ye would scarcely find her marrow;She was courted by nine gentlemenAn a ploughman-lad frae Yarrow.

There lived a lady in the South,

Ye would scarcely find her marrow;

She was courted by nine gentlemen

An a ploughman-lad frae Yarrow.

2Ae nicht the nine sat drinkin wineTo the lass wha had nae marrow,When the ploughman swore, tho they were a scoreHe wad fecht them a’ in Yarrow.

Ae nicht the nine sat drinkin wine

To the lass wha had nae marrow,

When the ploughman swore, tho they were a score

He wad fecht them a’ in Yarrow.

3It’s he’s gane ower yon high, high hill,And doon yon glen sae narrow,An there he saw nine armëd men,To fecht wi him in Yarrow.

It’s he’s gane ower yon high, high hill,

And doon yon glen sae narrow,

An there he saw nine armëd men,

To fecht wi him in Yarrow.

4‘There’s nine o you an I’m but ane,An that’s an unequal marrow,But wi this gude blade and powerfu armI’ll lay you low on Yarrow.’

‘There’s nine o you an I’m but ane,

An that’s an unequal marrow,

But wi this gude blade and powerfu arm

I’ll lay you low on Yarrow.’

5It’s three he slew, and three withdrew,And three lay dead on Yarrow,But in behind cam her brother John,An pierced his body thorough.

It’s three he slew, and three withdrew,

And three lay dead on Yarrow,

But in behind cam her brother John,

An pierced his body thorough.

6‘Gae hame, gae hame, you fause young man,An tell your sister sorrow,That her true-love John lies dead and goneIn the dowie dens o Yarrow.’

‘Gae hame, gae hame, you fause young man,

An tell your sister sorrow,

That her true-love John lies dead and gone

In the dowie dens o Yarrow.’

7‘O father dear, I’ve dreamed a dream,I’m feared it will prove sorrow;I dreamed I was puin the heather-bells sweetOn the bonny braes o Yarrow.’

‘O father dear, I’ve dreamed a dream,

I’m feared it will prove sorrow;

I dreamed I was puin the heather-bells sweet

On the bonny braes o Yarrow.’

8‘O daughter dear, your dream is read,I’m feared it will prove sorrow;Your true-love John lies dead and goneIn the dowie dens o Yarrow.’

‘O daughter dear, your dream is read,

I’m feared it will prove sorrow;

Your true-love John lies dead and gone

In the dowie dens o Yarrow.’

9It’s she’s gane ower yon high, high hill,An doon yon glen sae narrow,An there she saw her true-love JohnLyin cauld an dead on Yarrow.

It’s she’s gane ower yon high, high hill,

An doon yon glen sae narrow,

An there she saw her true-love John

Lyin cauld an dead on Yarrow.

10She washed his face an combed his hair,Wi muckle grief an sorrow,She rowed him i the plaid she wore,In the dowie dens o Yarrow.

She washed his face an combed his hair,

Wi muckle grief an sorrow,

She rowed him i the plaid she wore,

In the dowie dens o Yarrow.

11Her hair it was three quarters lang,The colour being yellow;She tied it round his middle sma,An carried him hame frae Yarrow.

Her hair it was three quarters lang,

The colour being yellow;

She tied it round his middle sma,

An carried him hame frae Yarrow.

12‘O daughter dear, I pray forbear,I’ll wed you to another marrow;I’ll wed you to some fitter matchThan the lad that died on Yarrow.’

‘O daughter dear, I pray forbear,

I’ll wed you to another marrow;

I’ll wed you to some fitter match

Than the lad that died on Yarrow.’

13‘O father dear, you hae seven sons,Should you wed them a’ to-morrow,A fairer flower never grew in JuneThan the lad that died on Yarrow.’

‘O father dear, you hae seven sons,

Should you wed them a’ to-morrow,

A fairer flower never grew in June

Than the lad that died on Yarrow.’

14This lady, being six months with childTo the ploughman lad of Yarrow,She fell into her father’s armsAn died wi grief on Yarrow.

This lady, being six months with child

To the ploughman lad of Yarrow,

She fell into her father’s arms

An died wi grief on Yarrow.

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