{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch005.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch005.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch005.htm","text":"5A.1 GIL BRENTON has sent oer the fame,\nHe\u2019s woo\u2019d a wife an brought her hame.\n5A.2 Full sevenscore o ships came her wi,\nThe lady by the greenwood tree.\n5A.3 There was twal an twal wi beer an wine,\nAn twal an twal wi muskadine:\n5A.4 An twall an twall wi bouted flowr,\nAn twall an twall wi paramour:\n5A.5 An twall an twall wi baken bread,\nAn twall an twall wi the goud sae red.\n5A.6 Sweet Willy was a widow\u2019s son,\nAn at her stirrup-foot he did run.\n5A.7 An she was dressd i the finest pa,\nBut ay she loot the tears down fa.\n5A.8 An she was dickd wi the fairest flowrs,\nBut ay she loot the tears down pour.\n5A.9 \u2018O is there water i your shee?\nOr does the win blaw i your glee?\n5A.10 \u2018Or are you mourning i your meed\nThat eer you left your mither gueede?\n5A.11 \u2018Or are ye mourning i your tide\nThat ever ye was Gil Brenton\u2019s bride?\u2019\n5A.12 [re] is nae water i my shee,\nNor does the win blaw i my glee:\n5A.13 \u2018Nor am I mourning i my tide\nThat eer I was Gil Brenton\u2019s bride:\n5A.14 \u2018But I am mourning i my meed\nThat ever I left my mither gueede.\n5A.15 \u2018But, bonny boy, tell to me\nWhat is the customs o your country.\u2019\n5A.16 \u2018The customs o\u2019t, my dame,\u2019 he says,\n\u2018Will ill a gentle lady please.\n5A.17 \u2018Seven king\u2019s daughters has our king wedded,\nAn seven king\u2019s daughters has our king bedded.\n5A.18 \u2018But he\u2019s cutted the paps frae their breast-bane,\nAn sent them mourning hame again.\n5A.19 \u2018But whan you come to the palace yate,\nHis mither a golden chair will set.\n5A.20 \u2018An be you maid or be you nane,\nO sit you there till the day be dane.\n5A.21 \u2018An gin you\u2019re sure that you are a maid,\nYe may gang safely to his bed.\n5A.22 \u2018But gin o that you be na sure,\nThen hire some woman o youre bowr.\u2019\n5A.23 O whan she came to the palace yate,\nHis mither a golden chair did set.\n5A.24 An was she maid or was she nane,\nShe sat in it till the day was dane.\n5A.25 An she\u2019s calld on her bowr woman,\nThat waiting was her bowr within.\n5A.26 \u2018Five hundred pound, maid, I\u2019ll gi to the,\nAn sleep this night wi the king for me.\u2019\n5A.27 Whan bells was rung, an mass was sung,\nAn a\u2019 man unto bed was gone,\n5A.28 Gil Brenton an the bonny maid\nIntill ae chamber they were laid.\n5A.29 \u2018O speak to me, blankets, an speak to me, sheets,\nAn speak to me, cods, that under me sleeps;\n5A.30 \u2018Is this a maid that I ha wedded?\nIs this a maid that I ha bedded?\u2019\n5A.31 \u2018It\u2019s nae a maid that you ha wedded,\nBut it\u2019s a maid that you ha bedded.\n5A.32 \u2018Your lady\u2019s in her bigly bowr,\nAn for you she drees mony sharp showr.\u2019\n5A.33 O he has taen him thro the ha,\nAnd on his mither he did ca.\n5A.34 \u2018I am the most unhappy man\nThat ever was in christend lan.\n5A.35 \u2018I woo\u2019d a maiden meek an mild,\nAn I\u2019ve marryed a woman great wi child.\u2019\n5A.36 \u2018O stay, my son, intill this ha,\nAn sport you wi your merry men a\u2019.\n5A.37 \u2018An I\u2019ll gang to yon painted bowr,\nAn see how\u2019t fares wi yon base whore.\u2019\n5A.38 The auld queen she was stark an strang;\nShe gard the door flee aff the ban.\n5A.39 The auld queen she was stark an steer;\nShe gard the door lye i the fleer.\n5A.40 \u2018O is your bairn to laird or loon?\nOr is it to your father\u2019s groom?\u2019\n5A.41 \u2018My bairn\u2019s na to laird or loon,\nNor is it to my father\u2019s groom.\n5A.42 \u2018But hear me, mither, on my knee,\nAn my hard wierd I\u2019ll tell to thee.\n5A.43 \u2018O we were sisters, sisters seven,\nWe was the fairest under heaven.\n5A.44 \u2018We had nae mair for our seven years wark\nBut to shape an sue the king\u2019s son a sark.\n5A.45 \u2018O it fell on a Saturday\u2019s afternoon,\nWhan a\u2019 our langsome wark was dane,\n5A.46 \u2018We keist the cavils us amang,\nTo see which shoud to the greenwood gang.\n5A.47 \u2018Ohone, alas! for I was youngest,\nAn ay my wierd it was the hardest.\n5A.48 \u2018The cavil it did on me fa,\nWhich was the cause of a\u2019 my wae.\n5A.49 \u2018For to the greenwood I must gae,\nTo pu the nut but an the slae;\n5A.50 \u2018To pu the red rose an the thyme,\nTo strew my mother\u2019s bowr and mine.\n5A.51 \u2018I had na pu\u2019d a flowr but ane,\nTill by there came a jelly hind greeme,\n5A.52 \u2018Wi high-colld hose an laigh-colld shoone,\nAn he \u2019peard to be some kingis son.\n5A.53 \u2018An be I maid or be I nane,\nHe kept me there till the day was dane.\n5A.54 \u2018An be I maid or be I nae,\nHe kept me there till the close of day.\n5A.55 \u2018He gae me a lock of yallow hair,\nAn bade me keep it for ever mair.\n5A.56 \u2018He gae me a carket o gude black beads,\nAn bade me keep them against my needs.\n5A.57 \u2018He gae to me a gay gold ring,\nAn bade me ke[e]p it aboon a\u2019 thing.\n5A.58 \u2018He gae to me a little pen-kniffe,\nAn bade me keep it as my life.\u2019\n5A.59 \u2018What did you wi these tokens rare\nThat ye got frae that young man there?\u2019\n5A.60 \u2018O bring that coffer hear to me,\nAnd a\u2019 the tokens ye sal see.\u2019\n5A.61 An ay she ranked, an ay she flang,\nTill a\u2019 the tokens came till her han.\n5A.62 \u2018O stay here, daughter, your bowr within,\nTill I gae parley wi my son.\u2019\n5A.63 O she has taen her thro the ha,\nAn on her son began to ca.\n5A.64 \u2018What did you wi that gay gold ring\nI bade you keep aboon a\u2019 thing?\n5A.65 \u2018What did you wi that little pen-kniffe\nI bade you keep while you had life?\n5A.66 \u2018What did you wi that yallow hair\nI bade you keep for ever mair?\n5A.67 \u2018What did you wi that good black beeds\nI bade you keep against your needs?\u2019\n5A.68 \u2018I gae them to a lady gay\nI met i the greenwood on a day.\n5A.69 \u2018An I would gi a\u2019 my father\u2019s lan,\nI had that lady my yates within.\n5A.70 \u2018I would gi a\u2019 my ha\u2019s an towrs,\nI had that bright burd i my bowrs.\u2019\n5A.71 \u2018O son, keep still your father\u2019s lan;\nYou hae that lady your yates within.\n5A.72 \u2018An keep you still your ha\u2019s an towrs;\nYou hae that bright burd i your bowrs.\u2019\n5A.73 Now or a month was come an gone,\nThis lady bare a bonny young son.\n5A.74 An it was well written on his breast-bane\n\u2018Gil brenton is my father\u2019s name.\u2019\n5B: Gil Brenton\n5B.1 COSPATRICK has sent oer the faem,\nCospatrick brought his ladye hame.\n5B.2 And fourscore ships have come her wi,\nThe ladye by the grenewood tree.\n5B.3 There were twal and twal wi baken bread,\nAnd twal and twal wi gowd sae reid:\n5B.4 And twal and twal wi bouted flour,\nAnd twal and twal wi the paramour.\n5B.5 Sweet Willy was a widow\u2019s son,\nAnd at her stirrup he did run.\n5B.6 And she was clad in the finest pall,\nBut aye she let the tears down fall.\n5B.7 \u2018O is your saddle set awrye?\nOr rides your steed for you owre high?\n5B.8 \u2018Or are you mourning in your tide\nThat you suld be Cospatrick\u2019s bride?\u2019\n5B.9 \u2018I am not mourning at this tide\nThat I suld be Cospatrick\u2019s bride;\n5B.10 \u2018But I am sorrowing in my mood\nThat I suld leave my mother good.\n5B.11 \u2018But, gentle boy, come tell to me,\nWhat is the custom of thy countrye?\u2019\n5B.12 \u2018The custom thereof, my dame,\u2019 he says,\n\u2018Will ill a gentle laydye please.\n5B.13 \u2018Seven king\u2019s daughters has our lord wedded,\nAnd seven king\u2019s daughters has our lord bedded;\n5B.14 \u2018But he\u2019s cutted their breasts frae their breast bane,\nAnd sent them mourning hame again.\n5B.15 \u2018Yet, gin you\u2019re sure that you\u2019re a maid,\nYe may gae safely to his bed;\n5B.16 \u2018But gif o that ye be na sure,\nThen hire some damsell o your bour.\u2019\n5B.17 The ladye\u2019s calld her bour-maiden,\nThat waiting was into her train;\n5B.18 \u2018Five thousand merks I will gie thee,\nTo sleep this night with my lord for me.\u2019\n5B.19 When bells were rung, and mass was sayne,\nAnd a\u2019 men unto bed were gane,\n5B.20 Cospatrick and the bonny maid,\nInto ae chamber they were laid.\n5B.21 \u2018Now, speak to me, blankets, and speak to me, bed,\nAnd speak, thou sheet, inchanted web;\n5B.22 \u2018And speak up, my bonny brown sword, that winna lie,\nIs this a true maiden that lies by me?\u2019\n5B.23 \u2018It is not a maid that you hae wedded,\nBut it is a maid that you hae bedded.\n5B.24 \u2018It is a liel maiden that lies by thee,\nBut not the maiden that it should be.\u2019\n5B.25 O wrathfully he left the bed,\nAnd wrathfully his claiths on did.\n5B.26 And he has taen him thro the ha,\nAnd on his mother he did ca.\n5B.27 \u2018I am the most unhappy man\nThat ever was in christen land!\n5B.28 \u2018I courted a maiden meik and mild,\nAnd I hae gotten naething but a woman wi child.\u2019\n5B.29 \u2018O stay, my son, into this ha,\nAnd sport ye wi your merrymen a\u2019;\n5B.30 \u2018And I will to the secret bour,\nTo see how it fares wi your paramour.\u2019\n5B.31 The carline she was stark and sture;\nShe aff the hinges dang the dure.\n5B.32 \u2018O is your bairn to laird or loun?\nOr is it to your father\u2019s groom?\u2019\n5B.33 \u2018O hear me, mother, on my knee,\nTill my sad story I tell to thee.\n5B.34 \u2018O we were sisters, sisters seven,\nWe were the fairest under heaven.\n5B.35 \u2018It fell on a summer\u2019s afternoon,\nWhen a\u2019 our toilsome task was done,\n5B.36 \u2018We cast the kavils us amang,\nTo see which suld to the grene-wood gang.\n5B.37 \u2018O hon, alas! for I was youngest,\nAnd aye my wierd it was the hardest.\n5B.38 \u2018The kavil it on me did fa,\nWhilk was the cause of a\u2019 my woe.\n5B.39 \u2018For to the grene-wood I maun gae,\nTo pu the red rose and the slae;\n5B.40 \u2018To pu the red rose and the thyme,\nTo deck my mother\u2019s bour and mine.\n5B.41 \u2018I hadna pu\u2019d a flower but ane,\nWhen by there came a gallant hende,\n5B.42 \u2018Wi high-colld hose and laigh-colld shoon,\nAnd he seemd to be sum king\u2019s son.\n5B.43 \u2018And be I maid or be I nae,\nHe kept me there till the close o day.\n5B.44 \u2018And be I maid or be I nane,\nHe kept me there till the day was done.\n5B.45 \u2018He gae me a lock o his yellow hair,\nAnd bade me keep it ever mair.\n5B.46 \u2018He gae me a carknet o bonny beads,\nAnd bade me keep it against my needs.\n5B.47 \u2018He gae to me a gay gold ring,\nAnd bade me keep it abune a\u2019 thing.\u2019\n5B.48 \u2018What did ye wi the tokens rare\nThat ye gat frae theat gallant there?\u2019\n5B.49 \u2018O bring that coffer unto me,\nAnd a\u2019 the tokens ye sall see.\u2019\n5B.50 \u2018Now stay, daughter, your bour within,\nWhile I gae parley wi my son.\u2019\n5B.51 O she has taen her thro the ha,\nAnd on her son began to ca.\n5B.52 \u2018What did you wi the bonny beads\nI bade ye keep against your needs?\n5B.53 \u2018What did you wi the gay gowd ring\nI bade ye keep abune a\u2019 thing?\u2019\n5B.54 \u2018I gae them a\u2019 to a ladye gay\nI met in grene-wood on a day.\n5B.55 \u2018But I wad gie a\u2019 my halls and tours,\nI had that ladye within my bours.\n5B.56 \u2018But I wad gie my very life,\nI had that ladye to my wife.\u2019\n5B.57 \u2018Now keep, my son, your ha\u2019s and tours;\nYe have that bright burd in your bours.\n5B.58 \u2018And keep, my son, your very life;\nYe have that ladye to your wife.\u2019\n5B.59 Now or a month was cum and gane,\nThe ladye bore a bonny son.\n5B.60 And \u2019twas weel written on his breast-bane,\n\u2018Cospatrick is my father\u2019s name.\u2019\n5B.61 \u2018O rowe my ladye in satin and silk,\nAnd wash my son in the morning milk.\u2019\n5C: Gil Brenton\n5C.1 WE were sisters, we were seven,\nWe were the fairest under heaven.\n5C.2 And it was a\u2019 our seven years wark\nTo sew our father\u2019s seven sarks.\n5C.3 And whan our seven years wark was done,\nWe laid it out upo the green.\n5C.4 We coost the lotties us amang,\nWha wad to the greenwood gang.\n5C.5 To pu the lily but and the rose,\nTo strew witha\u2019 our sisters\u2019 bowers.\n5C.6 . . . . . I was youngest,\n. . . . . my weer was hardest.\n5C.7 And to the greenwood I bud gae,\n. . . . .\n5C.8 There I met a handsome childe,\n. . . . .\n5C.9 High-coled stockings and laigh-coled shoon,\nHe bore him like a king\u2019s son.\n5C.10 An was I weel, or was I wae,\nHe keepit me a\u2019 the simmer day.\n5C.11 An though I for my hame-gaun sich[t],\nHe keepit me a\u2019 the simmer night.\n5C.12 He gae to me a gay gold ring,\nAnd bade me keep it aboon a\u2019 thing.\n5C.13 He gae to me a cuttie knife,\nAnd bade me keep it as my life:\n5C.14 Three lauchters o his yellow hair,\nFor fear we wad neer meet mair.\n* * * * *\n5C.15 Next there came shippes three,\nTo carry a\u2019 my bridal fee.\n5C.16 Gowd were the beaks, the sails were silk,\nWrought wi maids\u2019 hands like milk.\n5C.17 They came toom and light to me,\nBut heavie went they waie frae me.\n5C.18 y were fu o baken bread,\nThey were fu of wine sae red.\n5C.19 My dowry went a\u2019 by the sea,\nBut I gaed by the grenewode tree.\n5C.20 An I sighed and made great mane,\nAs thro the grenewode we rade our lane.\n5C.21 An I ay siched an wiped my ee,\nThat eer the grenewode I did see.\n5C.22 \u2018Is there water in your glove,\nOr win into your shoe?\nO[r] am I oer low a foot-page\nTo rin by you, ladie?\u2019\n5C.23 \u2018O there\u2019s nae water in my glove,\nNor win into my shoe;\nBut I am maning for my mither\nWha\u2019s far awa frae me.\u2019\n* * * * *\n5C.24 \u2018Gin ye be a maiden fair,\nMeikle gude ye will get there.\n5C.25 \u2018If ye be a maiden but,\nMeikle sorrow will ye get.\n5C.26 \u2018For seven king\u2019s daughters he hath wedded,\nBut never wi ane o them has bedded.\n5C.27 \u2018He cuts the breasts frae their breast-bane,\nAn sends them back unto their dame.\n5C.28 \u2018He sets their backs unto the saddle,\nAn sends them back unto their father.\n5C.29 \u2018But be ye maiden or be ye nane,\nTo the gowden chair ye draw right soon.\n5C.30 \u2018But be ye leman or be ye maiden,\nSit nae down till ye be bidden.\u2019\n5C.31 Was she maiden or was she nane,\nTo the gowden chair she drew right soon.\n5C.32 she leman or was she maiden,\nShe sat down ere she was bidden.\n5C.33 Out then spake the lord\u2019s mother;\nSays, \u2018This is not a maiden fair.\n5C.34 \u2018In that chair nae leal maiden\nEer sits down till they be bidden.\u2019\n5C.35 The Billie Blin then outspake he,\nAs he stood by the fair ladie.\n5C.36 \u2018The bonnie may is tired wi riding,\nGaurd her sit down ere she was bidden.\u2019\n* * * * *\n5C.37 But on her waiting-maid she ca\u2019d:\n\u2018Fair ladie, what\u2019s your will wi me?\u2019\n\u2018O ye maun gie yere maidenheid\nThis night to an unco lord for me.\u2019\n5C.38 \u2018I hae been east, I hae been west,\nI hae been far beyond the sea,\nBut ay, by grenewode or by bower,\nI hae keepit my virginitie.\n5C.39 \u2018But will it for my ladie plead,\nI\u2019ll gie\u2019t this night to an unco lord.\u2019\n* * * * *\n5C.40 When bells were rung an vespers sung,\nAn men in sleep were locked soun,\n5C.41 Childe Branton and the waiting-maid\nInto the bridal bed were laid.\n5C.42 \u2018O lie thee down, my fair ladie,\nHere are a\u2019 things meet for thee;\n5C.43 \u2018Here\u2019s a bolster for yere head,\nHere is sheets an comelie weids.\u2019\n* * * * *\n5C.44 \u2018Now tell to me, ye Billie Blin,\nIf this fair dame be a leal maiden.\u2019\n5C.45 \u2018I wat she is as leal a wight\nAs the moon shines on in a simmer night.\n5C.46 \u2018I wat she is as leal a may\nAs the sun shines on in a simmer day.\n5C.47 \u2018But your bonnie bride\u2019s in her bower,\nDreeing the mither\u2019s trying hour.\u2019\n5C.48 Then out o his bridal bed he sprang,\nAn into his mither\u2019s bower he ran.\n5C.49 \u2018O mither kind, O mither dear,\nThis is nae a maiden fair.\n5C.50 \u2018The maiden I took to my bride\nHas a bairn atween her sides.\n5C.51 \u2018The maiden I took to my bower\nIs dreeing the mither\u2019s trying hour.\u2019\n5C.52 Then to the chamber his mother flew,\nAnd to the wa the door she threw.\n5C.53 She stapt at neither bolt nor ban,\nTill to that ladie\u2019s bed she wan.\n5C.54 Says, \u2018Ladie fair, sae meek an mild,\nWha is the father o yere child?\u2019\n5C.55 \u2018O mither dear,\u2019 said that ladie,\n\u2018I canna tell gif I sud die.\n5C.56 \u2018We were sisters, we were seven,\nWe were the fairest under heaven.\n5C.57 \u2018And it was a\u2019 our seven years wark\nTo sew our father\u2019s seven sarks.\n5C.58 \u2018And whan our seven years wark was done,\nWe laid it out upon the green.\n5C.59 \u2018We coost the lotties us amang,\nWha wad to the greenwode gang;\n5C.60 \u2018To pu the lily but an the rose,\nTo strew witha\u2019 our sisters\u2019 bowers.\n5C.61 . . . . . \u2018I was youngest,\n. . . . . my weer was hardest.\n5C.62 \u2018And to the greenwode I bu[d] gae.\n. . . .\n5C.63 \u2018There I met a handsome childe,\n. . . .\n5C.64 \u2018Wi laigh-coled stockings and high-coled shoon,\nHe seemed to be some king\u2019s son.\n5C.65 \u2018And was I weel or was I wae,\nHe keepit me a\u2019 the simmer day.\n5C.66 \u2018Though for my hame-gaun I oft sicht,\nHe keepit me a\u2019 the simmer night.\n5C.67 \u2018He gae to me a gay gold ring,\nAn bade me keep it aboon a\u2019 thing;\n5C.68 \u2018Three lauchters o he yellow hair,\nFor fear that we suld neer meet mair.\n5C.69 \u2018O mither, if ye\u2019ll believe nae me,\nBreak up the coffer, an there ye\u2019ll see.\u2019\n5C.70 An ay she coost, an ay she flang,\nTill her ain gowd ring came in her hand.\n5C.71 And scarce aught i the coffer she left,\nTill she gat the knife wi the siller heft,\n5C.72 Three lauchters o his yellow hair,\nKnotted wi ribbons dink and rare.\n5C.73 She cried to her son, \u2018Where is the ring\nYour father gave me at our wooing,\nAn I gae you at your hunting?\n5C.74 \u2018What did ye wi the cuttie knife,\nI bade ye keep it as yere life?\u2019\n5C.75 \u2018O haud yere tongue, my mither dear;\nI gae them to a lady fair.\n5C.76 \u2018I wad gie a\u2019 my lands and rents,\nI had that ladie within my brents.\n5C.77 \u2018I wad gie a\u2019 my lands an towers,\nI had that ladie within my bowers.\u2019\n5C.78 \u2018Keep still yere lands, keep still yere rents;\nYe hae that ladie within yere brents.\n5C.79 \u2018Keep still yere lands, keep still yere towers;\nYe hae that lady within your bowers.\u2019\n5C.80 Then to his ladie fast ran he,\nAn low he kneeled on his knee.\n5C.81 \u2018O tauk ye up my son,\u2019 said he,\n\u2018An, mither, tent my fair ladie.\n5C.82 \u2018O wash him purely i the milk,\nAnd lay him saftly in the silk.\n5C.83 \u2018An ye maun bed her very soft,\nFor I maun kiss her wondrous oft.\u2019\n5C.84 It was weel written on his breast-bane\nChilde Branton was the father\u2019s name.\n5C.85 It was weel written on his right hand\nHe was the heir o his daddie\u2019s land.\n5D: Gil Brenton\n5D.1 WE were sisters, sisters seven,\nRefrain: Bowing down, bowing down\nThe fairest women under heaven.\nRefrain: And aye the birks a-bowing\n5D.2 They kiest kevels them amang,\nWha woud to the grenewood gang.\n5D.3 The kevels they gied thro the ha,\nAnd on the youngest it did fa.\n5D.4 Now she must to the grenewood gang,\nTo pu the nuts in grenewood hang.\n5D.5 She hadna tarried an hour but ane\nTill she met wi a highlan groom.\n5D.6 He keeped her sae late and lang\nTill the evening set and birds they sang.\n5D.7 He gae to her at their parting\nA chain o gold and gay gold ring;\n5D.8 And three locks o his yellow hair;\nBade her keep them for evermair.\n5D.9 When six lang months were come and gane.\nA courtier to this lady came.\n5D.10 Lord Dingwall courted this lady gay,\nAnd so he set their wedding-day.\n5D.11 A little boy to the ha was sent,\nTo bring her horse was his intent.\n5D.12 As she was riding the way along,\nShe began to make a heavy moan.\n5D.13 \u2018What ails you, lady,\u2019 the boy said,\n\u2018That ye seem sae dissatisfied?\n5D.14 \u2018Are the bridle reins for you too strong?\nOr the stirrups for you too long?\u2019\n5D.15 \u2018But, little boy, will ye tell me\nThe fashions that are in your countrie?\u2019\n5D.16 \u2018The fashions in our ha I\u2019ll tell,\nAnd o them a\u2019 I\u2019ll warn you well.\n5D.17 \u2018When ye come in upon the floor,\nHis mither will meet you wi a golden chair.\n5D.18 \u2018But be ye maid or be ye nane,\nUnto the high seat make ye boun.\n5D.19 \u2018Lord Dingwall aft has been beguild\nBy girls whom young men hae defiled.\n5D.20 \u2018He\u2019s cutted the paps frae their breast-bane,\nAnd sent them back to their ain hame.\u2019\n5D.21 When she came in upon the floor,\nHis mother met her wi a golden chair.\n5D.22 But to the high seat she made her boun:\nShe knew that maiden she was nane.\n5D.23 When night was come, they went to bed,\nAnd ower her breast his arm he laid.\n5D.24 He quickly jumped upon the floor,\nAnd said, \u2018I\u2019ve got a vile rank whore.\u2019\n5D.25 Unto his mother he made his moan,\nSays, \u2018Mother dear, I am undone.\n5D.26 \u2018Ye\u2019ve aft tald, when I brought them hame,\nWhether they were maid or nane.\n5D.27 \u2018I thought I\u2019d gotten a maiden bright;\nI\u2019ve gotten but a waefu wight.\n5D.28 \u2018I thought I\u2019d gotten a maiden clear,\nBut gotten but a vile rank whore.\u2019\n5D.29 \u2018When she came in upon the floor,\nI met her wi a golden chair.\n5D.30 \u2018But to the high seat she made her boun,\nBecause a maiden she was nane.\u2019\n5D.31 \u2018I wonder wha\u2019s tauld that gay ladie\nThe fashion into our countrie.\u2019\n5D.32 \u2018It is your little boy I blame,\nWhom ye did send to bring her hame.\u2019\n5D.33 Then to the lady she did go,\nAnd said, \u2018O Lady, let me know\n5D.34 \u2018Who has defiled your fair bodie:\nYe\u2019re the first that has beguiled me.\u2019\n5D.35 \u2018O we were sisters, sisters seven,\nThe fairest women under heaven.\n5D.36 \u2018And we kiest kevels us amang,\nWha woud to the grenewood gang;\n5D.37 \u2018For to pu the finest flowers,\nTo put around our summer bowers.\n5D.38 \u2018I was the youngest o them a\u2019;\nThe hardest fortune did me befa.\n5D.39 \u2018Unto the grenewood I did gang,\nAnd pu\u2019d the nuts as they down hang.\n5D.40 \u2018I hadna stayd an hour but ane\nTill I met wi a highlan groom.\n5D.41 \u2018He keeped me sae late and lang\nTill the evening set and birds they sang.\n5D.42 \u2018He gae to me at our parting\nA chain of gold and gay gold ring;\n5D.43 \u2018And three locks o his yellow hair;\nBade me keep them for evermair.\n5D.44 \u2018Then for to show I make nae lie,\nLook ye my trunk, and ye will see.\u2019\n5D.45 Unto the trunk then she did go,\nTo see if that were true or no.\n5D.46 And aye she sought, and aye she flang,\nTill these four things came to her hand.\n5D.47 Then she did to her ain son go,\nAnd said, \u2018My son, ye\u2019ll let me know,\n5D.48 \u2018Ye will tell to me this thing:\nWhat did you wi my wedding-ring?\u2019\n5D.49 \u2018Mother dear, I\u2019ll tell nae lie:\nI gave it to a gay ladie.\n5D.50 \u2018I would gie a\u2019 my ha\u2019s and towers,\nI had this bird within my bowers.\u2019\n5D.51 \u2018Keep well, keep well your lands and strands;\nYe hae that bird within your hands.\n5D.52 \u2018Now, my son, to your bower ye\u2019ll go:\nComfort your ladie, she\u2019s full o woe.\u2019\n5D.53 Now when nine months were come and gane,\nThe lady she brought hame a son.\n5D.54 It was written on his breast-bane\nLord Dingwall was his father\u2019s name.\n5D.55 He\u2019s taen his young son in his arms,\nAnd aye he praisd his lovely charms.\n5D.56 And he has gien him kisses three,\nAnd doubled them ower to his ladie.\n5E: Gil Brenton\n5E.1 LORD BENWALL he\u2019s a hunting gone;\nRefrain: Hey down, etc.\nHe\u2019s taken with him all his merry men.\nRefrain: Hey, etc.\n5E.2 As he was walking late alone,\nHe spyed a lady both brisk and young.\n5E.3 He keeped her so long and long,\nFrom the evening late till the morning came.\n5E.4 All that he gave her at their parting\nWas a pair of gloves and a gay gold ring.\n5E.5 Lord Benwall he\u2019s a wooing gone,\nAnd he\u2019s taken with him all his merry men.\n5E.6 As he was walking the Haleigh throw,\nHe spy\u2019d seven ladyes all in a row.\n5E.7 He cast a lot among them all;\nUpon the youngest the lot did fall.\n5E.8 He wedded her and brought her home,\nAnd by the way she made great moan.\n5E.9 \u2018What aileth my dearest and dayly flower?\nWhat ails my dear, to make such moan?\n5E.10 \u2018Does the steed carry you too high?\nOr does thy pillow sit awry?\n5E.11 \u2018Or does the wind blow in thy glove?\nOr is thy heart after another love?\u2019\n5E.12 \u2018The steed does not carry me too high,\nNor does my pillow sit awry.\n5E.13 \u2018Nor does the wind blow in my glove,\nNor is my heart after another love.\u2019\n5E.14 When they were doun to supper set,\nThe weary pain took her by the back.\n5E.15 \u2018What ails my dearest and dayly flower?\nWhat ails my dearest, to make such moan?\u2019\n5E.16 \u2018I am with child, and it\u2019s not to thee,\nAnd oh and alas, what shall I doe!\u2019\n5E.17 \u2018I thought I had got a maid so mild;\nBut I have got a woman big with child.\n5E.18 \u2018I thought I had got a dayly flower;\nI have gotten but a common whore.\u2019\n* * * * *\n5E.19 \u2018Rise up, Lord Benwall, go to your hall,\nAnd cherrish up your merry men all.\u2019\n* * * * *\n5E.20 \u2018As I was walking once late alone,\nI spy\u2019d a lord, both brisk and young.\n5E.21 \u2018He keeped me so long and long,\nFrom evening late till the morning came.\n5E.22 \u2018All that he gave me at our parting\nWas a pair of gloves and a gay gold ring.\n5E.23 \u2018If you will not believe what I tell to thee,\nThere\u2019s the key of my coffer, you may go and see.\u2019\n5E.24 His mother went, and threw and flang,\nTill to her hand the ring it came.\n5E.25 \u2018Lord Benwall, wilt thou tell to me\nWhere is the ring I gave to thee?\u2019\n5E.26 \u2018Now I would give all my lands and tower,\nTo have that lady in my bower.\n5E.27 \u2018I would give all my lands and rents,\nTo have that lady in my tents.\u2019\n5E.28 \u2018You need not give all your lands and tower,\nFor you have that lady in your power.\n5E.29 \u2018You need not give all your lands and rents,\nFor you have that lady in your tents.\u2019\n5E.30 Now it was written on the child\u2019s breast-bone\nLord Benwall\u2019s sirname and his name.\n5E.31 It was written on the child\u2019s right hand\nThat he should be heir of Lord Benwall\u2019s land.\n5E.32 \u2018Canst cloath my lady in the silk,\nAnd feed my young son with the milk.\u2019\n5F: Gil Brenton\n5F.1 THERE were three sisters in a bouir,\nRefrain: Eh down and Oh down\nAnd the youngest o them was the fairest flour.\nRefrain: Eh down and O down\n5F.2 And we began our seven years wark,\nTo sew our brither John a sark.\n5F.3 When seven years was come and gane,\nThere was nae a sleeve in it but ane.\n5F.4 But we coost kevils us amang\nWha wud to the green-wood gang.\n5F.5 But tho we had coosten neer sae lang,\nThe lot it fell on me aye to gang.\n5F.6 I was the youngest, and I was the fairest,\nAnd alace! my wierd it was aye the sairest.\n5F.7 . . .\nTill I had to the woods to gae.\n5F.8 To pull the cherrie and the slae,\nAnd to seek our ae brither, we had nae mae.\n5F.9 But as I was walking the leas o Lyne,\nI met a youth gallant and fine;\n5F.10 Wi milk white stockings and coal black shoon;\nHe seemed to be some gay lord\u2019s son.\n5F.11 But he keepit me there sae lang, sae lang,\nTill the maids in the morning were singing their sang.\n5F.12 Would I wee or would I way,\nHe keepit me the lang simmer day.\n5F.13 Would I way or would I wight,\nHe keepit me the simmer night.\n5F.14 But guess what was at our parting?\nA pair o grass green gloves and a gay gold ring.\nring.\n5F.15 He gave me three plaits o his yellow hair,\nIn token that we might meet mair.\n5F.16 But when nine months were come and gane,\nThis gallant lord cam back again.\n5F.17 He\u2019s wed this lady, and taen her wi him;\nBut as they were riding the leas o Lyne,\n5F.18 This lady was not able to ride,\n. . .\n5F.19 \u2018O does thy saddle set thee aside?\nOr does thy steed ony wrang way ride?\n5F.20 \u2018Or thinkst thou me too low a groom?\n. . .\n5F.21 \u2018Or hast thou musing in thy mind\nFor the leaving of thy mother kind?\u2019\n5F.22 \u2018My saddle it sets not me aside,\nNor does my steed ony wrang way ride.\n5F.23 \u2018Nor think I thee too low a groom\n. . .\n5F.24 \u2018But I hae musing in my mind\nFor the leaving of my mother kind.\u2019\n5F.25 \u2018I\u2019ll bring thee to a mother of mine,\nAs good a mother as eer was thine.\u2019\n5F.26 \u2018A better mother she may be,\nBut an unco woman she\u2019ll prove to me.\u2019\n5F.27 But when lords and ladies at supper sat,\nHer pains they struck her in the back.\n5F.28 When lords and ladies were laid in bed,\nHer pains they struck her in the side.\n5F.29 \u2018Rise up, rise up, now, Lord Brangwill,\nFor I\u2019m wi child and you do not know\u2019t.\u2019\n5F.30 He took up his foot and gave her sic a bang\nTill owre the bed the red blood sprang.\n5F.31 He is up to his mother\u2019s ha,\nCalling her as hard as he could ca.\n5F.32 \u2018I went through moss and I went through mure,\nThinking to get some lily flouir.\n5F.33 . . .\n\u2018But to my house I have brocht a hure.\n5F.34 \u2018I thocht to have got a lady baith meek and mild,\nBut I\u2019ve got a woman that\u2019s big wi child.\u2019\n5F.35 \u2018O rest you here, Lord Brangwill,\u2019 she said,\n\u2018Till I relieve your lady that lyes so low.\u2019\n5F.36 \u2018O daughter dear, will you tell to me\nWho is the father of your babie?\u2019\n5F.37 \u2018Yes, mother dear, I will tell thee\nWho is the father of my babie.\n5F.38 \u2018As I was walking the leas o Lyne,\nI met a youth gallant and fine;\n5F.39 th milk-white stockings and coal-black shoon;\nHe seemed to be sum gay lord\u2019s son.\n5F.40 \u2018He keepit me sae lang, sae lang,\nTill the maids in the morning were singing their sang.\n5F.41 \u2018Would I wee or would I way,\nHe keepit me the lang simmer day.\n5F.42 \u2018Would I way or would I wight,\nHe keepit me the simmer night.\n5F.43 \u2018But guess ye what was at our parting?\nA pair of grass green gloves and a gay gold ring.\n5F.44 \u2018He gave me three plaits o his yellow hair,\nIn token that we might meet mair.\u2019\n5F.45 \u2018O dochter dear, will ye show me\nThese tokens that he gave to thee?\u2019\n5F.46 \u2018Altho my back should break in three,\nUnto my coffer I must be.\u2019\n5F.47 \u2018Thy back it shall not break in three,\nFor I\u2019ll bring thy coffer to thy knee.\u2019\n5F.48 Aye she coost, and aye she flang,\nTill these three tokens came to her hand.\n5F.49 Then she is up to her sons\u2019s ha,\nCalling him hard as she could ca.\n5F.50 \u2018O son, O son, will you tell me\n. . .\n5F.51 \u2018What ye did wi the grass green gloves and gay gold ring\nThat ye gat at your own birth-een?\u2019\n5F.52 \u2018I gave them to as pretty a may\nAs ever I saw in a simmer day.\n5F.53 \u2018I wud rather than a\u2019 my lands sae broad\nThat I had her as sure as eer I had.\n5F.54 \u2018I would rather than a\u2019 my lands sae free\nI had her here this night wi me.\u2019\n5F.55 \u2018I wish you good o your lands sae broad,\nFor ye have her as sure as eer ye had.\n5F.56 \u2018I wish ye good o your lands sae free,\nFor ye have her here this night wi thee.\u2019\n5F.57 \u2018Gar wash my auld son in the milk,\nGar deck my lady\u2019s bed wi silk.\u2019\n5F.58 He gave his auld son kisses three,\nBut he doubled them a\u2019 to his gay ladye.\n5G: Gil Brenton\n5G.1 AS Bothwell was walking in the lowlands alane,\nRefrain: Hey down and a down\nHe met six ladies sae gallant and fine.\nRefrain: Hey down and a down\n5G.2 He cast his lot among them a\u2019,\nAnd on the youngest his lot did fa.\n5G.3 He\u2019s brought her frae her mother\u2019s bower,\nUnto his strongest castle and tower.\n5G.4 But ay she cried and made great moan,\nAnd ay the tear came trickling down.\n5G.5 \u2018Come up, come up,\u2019 said the foremost man,\n\u2018I think our bride comes slowly on.\u2019\n5G.6 \u2018O lady, sits your saddle awry,\nOr is your steed for you owre high?\u2019\n5G.7 \u2018My saddle is not set awry,\nNor carries me my steed owre high;\n5G.8 \u2018But I am weary of my life,\nSince I maun be Lord Bothwell\u2019s wife.\u2019\n5G.9 He\u2019s blawn his horn sae sharp and shrill,\nUp start the deer on evry hill.\n5G.10 He\u2019s blawn his horn sae lang and loud,\nUp start the deer in gude green-wood.\n5G.11 His lady mother lookit owre the castle wa,\nAnd she saw them riding ane and a\u2019.\n5G.12 She\u2019s calld upon her maids by seven,\nTo mak his bed baith saft and even.\n5G.13 She\u2019s calld upon her cooks by nine,\nTo make their dinner fair and fine.\n5G.14 When day was gane, and night was come,\n\u2018What ails my love on me to frown?\n5G.15 \u2018Or does the wind blow in your glove?\nOr runs your mind on another love?\u2019\n5G.16 \u2018Nor blows the wind within my glove,\nNor runs my mind on another love;\n5G.17 \u2018But I nor maid nor maiden am,\nFor I\u2019m wi bairn to another man.\u2019\n5G.18 \u2018I thought I\u2019d a maiden sae meek and sae mild,\nBut I\u2019ve nought but a woman wi child.\u2019\n5G.19 His mother\u2019s taen her up to a tower,\nAnd lockit her in her secret bower.\n5G.20 \u2018Now, doughter mine, come tell to me,\nWha\u2019s bairn this is that you are wi.\u2019\n5G.21 \u2018O mother dear, I canna learn\nWha is the faither of my bairn.\n5G.22 \u2018But as I walkd in the lowlands my lane,\nI met a gentleman gallant and fine.\n5G.23 \u2018He keepit me there sae late and sae lang,\nFrae the evning late till the morning dawn.\n5G.24 \u2018And a\u2019 that he gied me to my propine\nWas a pair of green gloves and a gay gold ring;\n5G.25 \u2018Three lauchters of his yellow hair,\nIn case that we shoud meet nae mair.\u2019\n5G.26 His lady mother went down the stair:\n. . .\n5G.27 \u2018Now son, now son, come tell to me,\nWhere\u2019s the green gloves I gave to thee?\u2019\n5G.28 \u2018I gied to a lady sae fair and so fine\nThe green gloves and a gay gold ring.\n5G.29 \u2018But I wad gie my castles and towers,\nI had that lady within my bowers.\n5G.30 \u2018But I wad gie my very life,\nI had that lady to be my wife.\u2019\n5G.31 \u2018Now keep, now keep your castles and towers,\nYou have that lady within your bowers.\n5G.32 \u2018Now keep, now keep your very life,\nYou have that lady to be your wife.\u2019\n5G.33 \u2018O row my lady in sattin and silk,\nAnd wash my son in the morning milk.\u2019\n5H: Gil Brenton\n5H.1 WE were seven sisters in a bower,\nRefrain: Adown adown, and adown and adown\nThe flower of a\u2019 fair Scotland ower.\nRefrain: Adown adown, and adown and adown\n5H.2 We were sisters, sisters seven,\nThe fairest women under heaven.\n5H.3 There fell a dispute us amang,\nWha would to the greenwood gang.\n5H.4 They kiest the kevels them amang,\nO wha would to the greenwood gang.\n5H.5 The kevels they gied thro the ha,\nAnd on the youngest it did fa.\n5H.6 The kevel fell into her hand,\nTo greenwood she was forced to gang.\n5H.7 She hedna pued a flower but ane,\nWhen by there came an earl\u2019s son.\n5H.8 \u2018And was he well or was he wae,\nHe keepet me that summer\u2019s day.\u2019\n5H.9 And was he weel or was he weight,\nHe keepet her that summer\u2019s night.\n5H.10 And he gave her a gay goud ring\nHis mother got at her wedding.\n* * * * *\n5H.11 \u2018Oh is yer stirrup set too high?\nOr is your saddle set awry?\n5H.12 \u2018Oh is yer stirrup set too side?\nOr what\u2019s the reason ye canna ride?\u2019\n* * * * *\n5H.13 When all were at the table set,\nThen not a bit could this lady eat.\n5H.14 When all made merry at the feast,\nThis lady wished she were at her rest.\n* * * * *","title":"The Child Ballads: 5. Gil Brenton","type":"page"}