{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/boeb/boeb15.htm","path":"neu/eng/boeb/boeb15.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/boeb/boeb15.htm","text":"I WAD I were where Helen lies;\n Night and day on me she cries;\n O that I were where Helen lies,\n \u00a0\u00a0On fair Kirkconnell lea!\nCurst be the heart that thought the thought,\n And curst the hand that fired the shot,\n When in my arms burd Helen dropt,\n \u00a0\u00a0And died to succour me!\nO think na but my heart was sair\n When my Love dropt and spak nae mair!\n I laid her down wi' meikle care,\n \u00a0\u00a0On fair Kirkconnell lea.\nAs I went down the water side,\n Nane but my foe to be my guide,\n Nane but my foe to be my guide,\n \u00a0\u00a0On fair Kirkconnell lea.\nI lighted down my sword to draw,\n I hack\u00e9d him in pieces sma',\n I hack\u00e9d him in pieces sma',\n \u00a0\u00a0For her sake that died for me.\nO Helen fair, beyond compare!\n I'll make a garland of thy hair,\n Shall bind my heart for evermair,\n \u00a0\u00a0Until the day I dee!\nO that I were where Helen lies\n Night and day on me she cries;\n Out of my bed she bids me rise,\n \u00a0\u00a0Says, \"Haste, and come to me!\"\nO Helen fair! O Helen chaste!\n If I were with thee, I were blest,\n Where thou lies low and takes thy rest,\n \u00a0\u00a0On fair Kirkconnell lea.\nI wad my grave were growing green,\n A winding-sheet drawn ower my een,\n And I in Helen's arms lying,\n \u00a0\u00a0On fair Kirkconnell lea.\nI wad I were where Helen lies!\n Night and day on me she cries,\n And I am weary of the skies,\n \u00a0\u00a0Since my Love died for me.","title":"A Book of Old English Ballads: Helen of Kirkconnell","type":"page"}