{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch010.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch010.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch010.htm","text":"10A.1 THERE were two sisters, they went playing,\nRefrain: With a hie downe downe a downe-a\nTo see their father\u2019s ships come sayling in.\nRefrain: With a hy downe downe a downe-a\n10A.2 And when they came unto the sea-brym,\nThe elder did push the younger in.\n10A.3 \u2018O sister, O sister, take me by the gowne,\nAnd drawe me up upon the dry ground.\u2019\n10A.4 \u2018O sister, O sister, that may not bee,\nTill salt and oatmeale grow both of a tree.\u2019\n10A.5 Somtymes she sanke, somtymes she swam,\nUntil she came unto the mill-dam.\n10A.6 The miller runne hastily downe the cliffe,\nAnd up he betook her withouten her life.\n10A.7 What did he doe with her brest-bone?\nHe made him a violl to play thereupon.\n10A.8 What did he doe with her fingers so small?\nHe made him peggs to his violl withall.\n10A.9 What did he doe with her nose-ridge?\nUnto his violl he made him a bridge.\n10A.10 What did he doe with her veynes so blew?\nHe made him strings to his violl thereto.\n10A.11 What did he doe with her eyes so bright?\nUpon his violl he played at first sight.\n10A.12 What did he doe with her tongue so rough?\nUnto the violl it spake enough.\n10A.13 What did he doe with her two shinnes?\nUnto the violl they danc\u2019d Moll Syms.\n10A.14 Then bespake the treble string,\n\u2018O yonder is my father the king.\u2019\n10A.15 Then bespake the second string,\n\u2018O yonder sitts my mother the queen.\u2019\n10A.16 And then bespake the strings all three,\n\u2018O yonder is my sister that drowned mee.\u2019\n10A.17 \u2018Now pay the miller for his payne,\nAnd let him bee gone in the divel\u2019s name.\u2019\n10B: The Twa Sisters\n10B.1 THERE was twa sisters in a bowr,\nRefrain: Edinburgh, Edinburgh\nThere was twa sisters in a bowr,\nRefrain: Stirling for ay\nThere was twa sisters in a bowr,\nThere came a knight to be their wooer.\nRefrain: Bonny Saint Johnston stands upon Tay\n10B.2 He courted the eldest wi glove an ring,\nBut he lovd the youngest above a\u2019 thing.\n10B.3 He courted the eldest wi brotch an knife,\nBut lovd the youngest as his life.\n10B.4 The eldest she was vexed sair,\nAn much envi\u2019d her sister fair.\n10B.5 Into her bowr she could not rest,\nWi grief an spite she almos brast.\n10B.6 Upon a morning fair an clear,\nShe cried upon her sister dear:\n10B.7 \u2018O sister, come to yon sea stran,\nAn see our father\u2019s ships come to lan.\u2019\n10B.8 She\u2019s taen her by the milk-white han,\nAn led her down to yon sea stran.\n10B.9 The younges[t] stood upon a stane,\nThe eldest came an threw her in.\n10B.10 She tooke her by the middle sma,\nAn dashd her bonny back to the jaw.\n10B.11 \u2018O sister, sister, tak my han,\nAn Ise mack you heir to a\u2019 my lan.\n10B.12 \u2018O sister, sister, tak my middle,\nAn yes get my goud and my gouden girdle.\n10B.13 \u2018O sister, sister, save my life,\nAn I swear Ise never be nae man\u2019s wife.\u2019\n10B.14 \u2018Foul fa the han that I should tacke,\nIt twin\u2019d me an my wardles make.\n10B.15 \u2018Your cherry cheeks an yallow hair\nGars me gae maiden for evermair.\u2019\n10B.16 Sometimes she sank, an sometimes she swam,\nTill she came down yon bonny mill-dam.\n10B.17 O out it came the miller\u2019s son,\nAn saw the fair maid swimmin in.\n10B.18 \u2018O father, father, draw your dam,\nHere\u2019s either a mermaid or a swan.\u2019\n10B.19 The miller quickly drew the dam,\nAn there he found a drownd woman.\n10B.20 You coudna see her yallow hair\nFor gold and pearle that were so rare.\n10B.21 You coudna see her middle sma\nFor gouden girdle that was sae braw.\n10B.22 You coudna see her fingers white,\nFor gouden rings that was sae gryte.\n10B.23 An by there came a harper fine,\nThat harped to the king at dine.\n10B.24 When he did look that lady upon,\nHe sighd and made a heavy moan.\n10B.25 He\u2019s taen three locks o her yallow hair,\nAn wi them strung his harp sae fair.\n10B.26 The first tune he did play and sing,\nWas, \u2018Farewell to my father the king.\u2019\n10B.27 The nextin tune that he playd syne,\nWas, \u2018Farewell to my mother the queen.\u2019\n10B.28 The lasten tune that he playd then,\nWas, \u2018Wae to my sister, fair Ellen.\u2019\n10C: The Twa Sisters\n10C.1 THERE were two sisters sat in a bour;\nRefrain: Binnorie, O Binnorie\nThere came a knight to be their wooer.\nRefrain: By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie\n10C.2 He courted the eldest with glove and ring,\nBut he loed the youngest aboon a\u2019 thing.\n10C.3 He courted the eldest with broach and knife,\nBut he loed the youngest aboon his life.\n10C.4 The eldest she was vexed sair,\nAnd sore envied her sister fair.\n10C.5 The eldest said to the youngest ane,\n\u2018Will ye go and see our father\u2019s ships come in?\u2019\n10C.6 She\u2019s taen her by the lilly hand,\nAnd led her down to the river strand.\n10C.7 The youngest stude upon a stane,\nThe eldest came and pushed her in.\n10C.8 She took her by the middle sma,\nAnd dashed her bonnie back to the jaw.\n10C.9 \u2018O sister, sister, reach your hand,\nAnd ye shall be heir of half my land.\u2019\n10C.10 \u2018O sister, I\u2019ll not reach my hand,\nAnd I\u2019ll be heir of all your land.\n10C.11 \u2018Shame fa the hand that I should take,\nIt\u2019s twin\u2019d me and my world\u2019s make.\u2019\n10C.12 \u2018O sister, reach me but your glove,\nAnd sweet William shall be your love.\u2019\n10C.13 \u2018Sink on, nor hope for hand or glove,\nAnd sweet William shall better be my love.\n10C.14 \u2018Your cherry cheeks and your yellow hair\nGarrd me gang maiden evermair.\u2019\n10C.15 Sometimes she sunk, and sometimes she swam,\nUntil she came to the miller\u2019s dam.\n10C.16 \u2018O father, father, draw your dam,\nThere\u2019s either a mermaid or a milk-white swan.\u2019\n10C.17 The miller hasted and drew his dam,\nAnd there he found a drowned woman.\n10C.18 You could not see her yellow hair,\nFor gowd and pearls that were sae rare.\n10C.19 You could na see her middle sma,\nHer gowden girdle was sae bra.\n10C.20 A famous harper passing by,\nThe sweet pale face he chanced to spy.\n10C.21 And when he looked that ladye on,\nHe sighed and made a heavy moan.\n10C.22 He made a harp of her breast-bone,\nWhose sounds would melt a heart of stone.\n10C.23 The strings he framed of her yellow hair,\nWhose notes made sad the listening ear.\n10C.24 He brought it to her father\u2019s hall,\nAnd there was the court assembled all.\n10C.25 He laid this harp upon a stone,\nAnd straight it began to play alone.\n10C.26 \u2018O yonder sits my father, the king,\nAnd yonder sits my mother, the queen.\n10C.27 \u2018And yonder stands my brother Hugh,\nAnd by him my William, sweet and true.\u2019\n10C.28 But the last tune that the harp playd then,\nWas \u2018Woe to my sister, false Helen!\u2019\n10D: The Twa Sisters\n10D.1 THERE lived three sisters in a bouer,\nRefrain: Edinbruch, Edinbruch\nThere lived three sisters in a bouer,\nRefrain: Stirling for aye\nThere lived three sisters in a bouer,\nThe youngest was the sweetest flowr.\nRefrain: Bonnie St Johnston stands upon Tay\n10D.2 There cam a knicht to see them a\u2019,\nAnd on the youngest his love did fa.\n10D.3 He brought the eldest ring and glove,\nBut the youngest was his ain true-love.\n10D.4 He brought the second sheath and knife,\nBut the youngest was to be his wife.\n10D.5 The eldest sister said to the youngest ane,\n\u2018Will ye go and see our father\u2019s ships come in?\u2019\n10D.6 And as they walked by the linn,\nThe eldest dang the youngest in.\n10D.7 \u2018O sister, sister, tak my hand,\nAnd ye\u2019ll be heir to a\u2019 my land.\u2019\n10D.8 \u2018Foul fa the hand that I wad take,\nTo twin me o my warld\u2019s make.\u2019\n10D.9 \u2018O sister, sister, tak my glove,\nAnd yese get Willie, my true-love.\u2019\n10D.10 \u2018Sister, sister, I\u2019ll na tak your glove,\nFor I\u2019ll get Willie, your true-love.\u2019\n10D.11 Aye she swittert, and aye she swam,\nTill she cam to yon bonnie mill-dam.\n10D.12 The miller\u2019s dochter cam out wi speed,\nIt was for water, to bake her bread.\n10D.13 \u2018O father, father, gae slack your dam;\nThere\u2019s in\u2019t a lady or a milk-white swan.\u2019\n* * * * *\n10D.14 They could na see her coal-black eyes\nFor her yellow locks hang oure her brees.\n10D.15 They could na see her weel-made middle\nFor her braid gowden girdle.\n* * * * *\n10D.16 And by there cam an auld blind fiddler,\nAnd took three tets o her bonnie yellow hair.\n* * * * *\n10D.17 The first spring that the bonnie fiddle playd,\n\u2018Hang my cruel sister, Alison,\u2019 it said.\n10E: The Twa Sisters\n10E.1 THERE livd twa sisters in a bower,\nRefrain: Hey Edinbruch, how Edinbruch!\nThere lived twa sisters in a bower,\nRefrain: Stirling for aye!\nThe youngest o them O she was a flower!\nRefrain: Bonny Sanct Johnstoune that stands upon Tay!\n10E.2 There cam a squire frae the west,\nHe loed them baith, but the youngest best.\n10E.3 He gied the eldest a gay gold ring,\nBut he loed the youngest aboon a\u2019 thing.\n10E.4 \u2018O sister, sister, will ye go to the sea?\nOur father\u2019s ships sail bonnilie.\u2019\n10E.5 The youngest sat down upon a stane;\nThe eldest shot the youngest in.\n10E.6 \u2018O sister, sister, lend me your hand,\nAnd you shall hae my gouden fan.\n10E.7 \u2018O sister, sister, save my life,\nAnd ye shall be the squire\u2019s wife.\u2019\n10E.8 First she sank, and then she swam,\nUntill she cam to Tweed mill-dam.\n10E.9 The millar\u2019s daughter was baking bread,\nShe went for water, as she had need.\n10E.10 \u2018O father, father, in our mill-dam\nThere\u2019s either a lady, or a milk-white swan.\u2019\n10E.11 They could nae see her fingers small,\nWi diamond rings they were coverd all.\n10E.12 They could nae see her yellow hair,\nSae mony knots and platts were there.\n10E.13 They could nae see her lilly feet,\nHer gowden fringes war sae deep.\n10E.14 Bye there cam a fiddler fair,\nAnd he\u2019s taen three taits o her yellow hair.\n10F: The Twa Sisters\n10F.1 THERE was two ladies livd in a bower,\nRefrain: Hey with a gay and a grinding O\nThe youngest o them was the fairest flower\nRefrain: About a\u2019 the bonny bows o London.\n10F.2 There was two ladies livd in a bower,\nAn wooer unto the youngest did go.\n10F.3 The oldest one to the youngest did say,\n\u2018Will ye take a walk with me today,\nRefrain: And we\u2019ll view the bonny bows o London.\n10F.4 \u2018Thou\u2019ll set thy foot whare I set mine,\nThou\u2019ll set thy foot upon this stane.\u2019\n10F.5 \u2018I\u2019ll set my foot where thou sets thine:\u2019\nThe old sister dang the youngest in,\nRefrain: At, etc.\n10F.6 \u2018O sister dear, come tak my hand,\nTake my life safe to dry land,\u2019\nRefrain: At, etc.\n10F.7 \u2018It\u2019s neer by my hand thy hand sall come in,\nIt\u2019s neer by my hand thy hand sall come in,\nRefrain: At, etc.\n10F.8 \u2018It\u2019s thy cherry cheeks and thy white briest bane\nGars me set a maid owre lang at hame.\u2019\n10F.9 She clasped her hand[s] about a brume rute,\nBut her cruel sister she lowsed them out.\n10F.10 Sometimes she sank, and sometimes she swam,\nTill she cam to the miller\u2019s dam.\n10F.11 The miller\u2019s bairns has muckle need,\nThey were bearing in water to bake some breid.\n10F.12 Says, \u2018Father, dear father, in our mill-dam,\nIt\u2019s either a fair maid or a milk-white swan.\u2019\n10F.13 The miller he\u2019s spared nae his hose nor his shoon\nTill he brocht this lady till dry land.\n10F.14 I wad he saw na a bit o her feet,\nHer silver slippers were made so neat.\n10F.15 I wad he saw na a bit o her skin,\nFor ribbons there was mony a ane.\n10F.16 He laid her on a brume buss to dry,\nTo see wha was the first wad pass her by.\n10F.17 Her ain father\u2019s herd was the first man\nThat by this lady gay did gang.\n10F.18 He\u2019s taen three links of her yellow hair,\nAnd made it a string to his fiddle there.\n10F.19 He\u2019s cut her fingers long and small\nTo be fiddle-pins that neer might fail.\n10F.20 The very first spring that the fiddle did play,\n\u2018Hang my auld sister,\u2019 I wad it did say.\n10F.21 \u2018For she drowned me in yonder sea,\nGod neer let her rest till she shall die,\u2019\n10F.21r At the bonny bows o London.\n10G: The Twa Sisters\n10G.1 THERE were three sisters lived in a bouir,\nRefrain: Hech, hey, my Nannie O\nAnd the youngest was the fairest flouir.\nRefrain: And the swan swims bonnie O\n10G.2 \u2018O sister, sister, gang down to yon sand,\nAnd see your father\u2019s ships coming to dry land.\u2019\n10G.3 O they have gane down to yonder sand,\nTo see their father\u2019s ships coming to dry land.\n10G.4 \u2018Gae set your fit on yonder stane,\nTill I tye up your silken goun.\u2019\n10G.5 She set her fit on yonder stane,\nAnd the auldest drave the youngest in.\n10G.6 \u2018O sister, sister, tak me by the hand,\nAnd ye\u2019ll get a\u2019 my father\u2019s land.\n10G.7 \u2018O sister, sister, tak me by the gluve,\nAn ye\u2019ll get Willy, my true luve.\u2019\n10G.8 She had a switch into her hand,\nAnd ay she drave her frae the land.\n10G.9 O whiles she sunk, and whiles she swam,\nUntil she swam to the miller\u2019s dam.\n10G.10 The miller\u2019s daughter gade doun to Tweed,\nTo carry water to bake her bread.\n10G.11 \u2018O father, O father, what\u2019s yon in the dam?\nIt\u2019s either a maid or a milk-white swan.\u2019\n10G.12 They have tane her out till yonder thorn,\nAnd she has lain till Monday morn.\n10G.13 She hadna, hadna twa days lain,\nTill by there came a harper fine.\n10G.14 He made a harp o her breast-bane,\nThat he might play forever thereon.\n10H: The Twa Sisters\n10H.1 THERE were three sisters lived in a hall,\nRefrain: Hey with the gay and the grandeur O\nAnd there came a lord to court them all.\nRefrain: At the bonnie bows o London town.\n10H.2 He courted the eldest with a penknife,\nAnd he vowed that he would take her life.\n10H.3 He courted the youngest with a glove,\nAnd he said that he\u2019d be her true love.\n10H.4 \u2018O sister, O sister, will you go and take a walk,\nAnd see our father\u2019s ships how they float?\n10H.5 \u2018O lean your foot upon the stone,\nAnd wash your hand in that sea-foam.\u2019\n10H.6 She leaned her foot upon the stone,\nBut her eldest sister has tumbled her down.\n10H.7 \u2018O sister, sister, give me your hand,\nAnd I\u2019ll make you lady of all my land.\u2019\n10H.8 \u2018O I\u2019ll not lend to you my hand,\nBut I\u2019ll be lady of your land.\u2019\n10H.9 \u2018O sister, sister, give me your glove,\nAnd I\u2019ll make you lady of my true love.\u2019\n10H.10 \u2018It\u2019s I\u2019ll not lend to you my glove,\nBut I\u2019ll be lady of your true love.\u2019\n10H.11 Sometimes she sank, and sometimes she swam,\nUntil she came to a miller\u2019s dam.\n10H.12 The miller\u2019s daughter was coming out wi speed,\nFor water for to bake some bread.\n10H.13 \u2018O father, father, stop the dam,\nFor it\u2019s either a lady or a milk-white swan.\u2019\n10H.14 He dragged her out unto the shore,\nAnd stripped her of all she wore.\n10H.15 By cam a fiddler, and he was fair,\nAnd he buskit his bow in her bonnie yellow hair.\nBy cam her father\u2019s harper, and he was fine,\n10H.16 he made a harp o her bonny breast-bone.\n10H.17 When they came to her father\u2019s court,\nThe harp [and fiddle these words] spoke:\n10H.18 \u2018O God bless my father the king,\nAnd I wish the same to my mother the queen.\n10H.19 \u2018My sister Jane she tumbled me in,\n. . . . .\n* * * * *\n10I: The Twa Sisters\n10I.1 THERE war twa sisters lived in a bouer,\nRefrain: Binnorie and Binnorie\nThere cam a squire to court them baith.\nRefrain: At the bonnie mill-streams o Binnorie\n10I.2 He courted the eldest with Jewels and rings,\nBut he lovd the youngest the best of all things.\n10I.3 He courted the eldest with a penknife,\nHe lovd the youngest as dear as his life.\n10I.4 It fell ance upon a day\nThat these twa sisters hae gane astray.\n10I.5 It was for to meet their father\u2019s ships that had come in.\n. . . . .\n10I.6 As they walked up the linn,\nThe eldest dang the youngest in.\n10I.7 \u2018O sister, sister, tak my hand,\nAnd ye\u2019ll hae Lud John and aw his land.\u2019\n10I.8 With a silver wand she pushd her in,\n. . . . .\n10I.9 \u2018O sister, sister, tak my glove,\nAnd ye sall hae my ain true love.\u2019\n10I.10 The miller\u2019s dochter cam out wi speed.\nIt was for a water to bake her bread.\n10I.11 \u2018O father, father, gae slack your dam;\nThere\u2019s either a white fish or a swan.\u2019\n* * * * *\n10I.12 Bye cam a blind fiddler that way,\nAnd he took three tets o her bonnie yellow hair.\n10I.13 And the first spring that he playd,\nIt said, \u2018It was my sister threw me in.\u2019\n10J: The Twa Sisters\n10J.1 THERE were two ladies playing ball,\nRefrain: Hey, ho, my Nannie O\nA great lord came to court them all.\nRefrain: The swan she does swim bonnie O\n10J.2 He gave to the first a golden ring,\nHe gave to the second a far better thing.\n* * * * *\n10J.3 He made a harp of her breast-bone\n. . . . .\n10J.4 He set it down upon a stone,\nAnd it began to play its lone.\n10K: The Twa Sisters\n10K.1 \u2018O SISTER, sister, gie me your hand,\nRefrain: Binnorie and Binnorie\nAnd I\u2019ll give the half of my fallow-land,\nRefrain: By the bonnie mill-dams of Binnorie.\u2019\n* * * * *\n10K.2 The first time the bonnie fiddle played,\n\u2018Hang my sister, Alison,\u2019 it said,\nRefrain: \u2018At the bonnie mill-dams of Binnorie.\u2019\n10L: The Twa Sisters\n10L.1 O WAS it eke a pheasant cock,\nOr eke a pheasant hen,\nOr was it the bodye of a fair ladye,\nCome swimming down the stream?\n10L.2 O it was not a pheasant cock,\nNor eke a pheasant hen,\nBut it was the bodye of a fair ladye\nCame swimming down the stream.\n* * * * *\n10L.3 And what did he do with her fair bodye?\nRefrain: Fal the lal the lal laral lody\n10L.3 He made it a case for his melodye.\nRefrain: Fal, etc.\n10L.4 And what did he do with her legs so strong?\nHe made them a stand for his violon.\n10L.5 And what did he do with her hair so fine?\nHe made of it strings for his violine.\n10L.6 And what did he do with her arms so long?\nHe made them bows for his violon.\n10L.7 And what did he do with her nose so thin?\nHe made it a bridge for his violin.\n10L.8 And what did he do with her eyes so bright?\nHe made them spectacles to put to his sight.\n10L.9 And what did he do with her petty toes?\nHe made them a nosegay to put to his nose.\n10M: The Twa Sisters\n10M.1 THERE lived twa sisters in yonder ha,\nRefrain: Bin\u2019orie O an Bin\u2019orie\nThey hadna but ae lad atween them twa,\nRefrain: He\u2019s the bonnie miller lad o Bin\u2019orie.\n10M.2 It fell oot upon a day,\nThe auldest ane to the youngest did say,\nRefrain: At the bonnie mill-dams o Bin\u2019orie,\n10M.3 \u2018O sister, O sister, will ye go to the dams,\nTo hear the blackbird thrashin oer his songs?\nRefrain: At the,\u2019 etc.\n10M.4 \u2018O sister, O sister, will ye go to the dams,\nTo see oor father\u2019s fish-boats come safe to dry lan?\nRefrain: An the bonnie miller lad o Binorie.\u2019\n10M.5 They hadna been an oor at the dams,\nTill they heard the blackbird thrashin oer his tune,\nRefrain: At the, etc.\n10M.6 They hadna been an oor at the dams\nTill they saw their father\u2019s fish-boats come safe to dry lan,\nRefrain: Bat they sawna the bonnie miller laddie.\n10M.7 They stood baith up upon a stane,\nAn the eldest ane dang the youngest in,\nRefrain: I the, etc.\n10M.8 She swam up, an she swam doon,\nAn she swam back to her sister again,\nRefrain: I the, etc.\n10M.9 \u2018O sister, O sister, len me your han,\nAn yes be heir to my true love,\nRefrain: He\u2019s the bonnie miller lad o Binorie.\u2019\n10M.10 \u2018It was not for that love at I dang you in,\nBut ye was fair and I was din,\n10M.10r And yes droon i the dams o Binorie.\u2019\n10M.11 The miller\u2019s daughter she cam oot,\nFor water to wash her father\u2019s hans,\n10M.11r Frae the, etc.\n10M.12 \u2018O father, O father, ye will fish your dams,\nAn ye\u2019ll get a white fish or a swan,\n10M.12r I the,\u2019 etc.\n10M.13 They fished up and they fished doon,\nBut they got nothing but a droonet woman,\n10M.13r I the, etc.\n10M.14 Some o them kent by her skin sae fair,\nBut weel kent he by her bonnie yallow hair\n10M.14r She\u2019s the bonnie miller\u2019s lass o Binorie.\n10M.15 Some o them kent by her goons o silk,\nBut weel kent he by her middle sae jimp,\n10M.15r She\u2019s the bonnie miller\u2019s lass o Binorie.\n10M.16 Mony ane was at her oot-takin,\nBut mony ane mair at her green grave makin,\n10M.16r At the bonny mill-dams o Binorie.\n10N: The Twa Sisters\n10N.1 THERE were twa sisters livd in a bouir,\nRefrain: Binnorie, O Binnorie\nTheir father was a baron of pouir.\nRefrain: By the bonnie mildams of Binnorie\n10N.2 The youngest was meek, and fair as the may\nWhan she springs in the east wi the gowden day.\n10N.3 The eldest austerne as the winter cauld,\nFerce was her saul, and her seiming was bauld.\n10N.4 A gallant squire can sweet Isabel to wooe;\nHer sister had naething to luve I trow.\n10N.5 But filld was she wi dolour and ire,\nTo see that to her the comlie squire\n10N.6 Preferd the debonair Isabel:\nTheir hevin of luve of spyte was her hell.\n10N.7 Till ae ein she to her sister can say,\n\u2018Sweit sister, cum let us wauk and play.\u2019\n10N.8 They wauked up, and they wauked down,\nSweit sang the birdis in the vallie loun.\n10N.9 Whan they cam to the roaring lin,\nShe drave unweiting Isabel in.\n10N.10 \u2018O sister, sister, tak my hand,\nAnd ye sall hae my silver fan.\n10N.11 \u2018O sister, sister, tak my middle,\nAnd ye sall hae my gowden girdle.\u2019\n10N.12 Sumtimes she sank, sumtimes she swam,\nTill she cam to the miller\u2019s dam.\n10N.13 The miller\u2019s dochtor was out that ein,\nAnd saw her rowing down the streim.\n10N.14 \u2018O father deir, in your mil-dam\nThere is either a lady or a milk-white swan!\u2019\n10N.15 Twa days were gane, whan to her deir\nHer wraith at deid of nicht cold appeir.\n10N.16 \u2018My luve, my deir, how can ye sleip,\nWhan your Isabel lyes in the deip!\n10N.17 \u2018My deir, how can ye sleip bot pain\nWhan she by her cruel sister is slain!\u2019\n10N.18 Up raise he sune, in frichtfu mude:\n\u2018Busk ye, my meiny, and seik the flude.\u2019\n10N.19 They socht her up and they socht her doun,\nAnd spyd at last her glisterin gown.\n10N.20 They raisd her wi richt meidle care;\nPale was her cheik and grein was her hair.\n10O: The Twa Sisters\n10O.1 THERE were twa sisters in a bower,\nRefrain: Hey wi the gay and the grinding\nAnd ae king\u2019s son has courted them baith.\nRefrain: At the bonny bonny bows o London\n10O.2 He courted the youngest wi broach and ring,\nHe courted the eldest wi some other thing.\n10O.3 It fell ance upon a day\nThe eldest to the youngest did say,\n10O.4 \u2018Will ye gae to yon Tweed mill-dam,\nAnd see our father\u2019s ships come to land?\u2019\n10O.5 They baith stood up upon a stane,\nThe eldest dang the youngest in.\n10O.6 She swimmed up, sae did she down,\nTill she came to the Tweed mill-dam.\n10O.7 The miller\u2019s servant he came out,\nAnd saw the lady floating about.\n10O.8 \u2018O master, master, set your mill,\nThere is a fish, or a milk-white swan.\u2019\n10O.9 They could not ken her yellow hair,\n[For] the scales o gowd that were laid there.\n10O.10 They could not ken her fingers sae white,\nThe rings o gowd they were sae bright.\n10O.11 They could not ken her middle sae jimp,\nThe stays o gowd were so well laced.\n10O.12 They could not ken her foot sae fair,\nThe shoes o gowd they were so rare.\n10O.13 Her father\u2019s fiddler he came by,\nUpstarted her ghaist before his eye.\n10O.14 \u2018Ye\u2019ll take a lock o my yellow hair,\nYe\u2019ll make a string to your fiddle there.\n10O.15 \u2018Ye\u2019ll take a lith o my little finger bane,\nAnd ye\u2019ll make a pin to your fiddle then.\u2019\n10O.16 He\u2019s taen a lock o her yellow hair,\nAnd made a string to his fiddle there.\n10O.17 He\u2019s taen a lith o her little finger bane,\nAnd he\u2019s made a pin to his fiddle then.\n10O.18 The firstand spring the fiddle did play,\nSaid, \u2018Ye\u2019ll drown my sister, as she\u2019s dune me.\u2019\n10P: The Twa Sisters\n10P.1 THERE were twa ladies in a bower,\nRefrain: Hey my bonnie Nannie O\nThe old was black and the young ane fair.\nRefrain: And the swan swims bonnie O\n10P.2 Once it happened on a day\nThe auld ane to the young did say,\n10P.3 The auld ane to the young did say,\n\u2018Will you gae to the green and play?\u2019\n10P.4 \u2018O sister, sister, I daurna gang,\nFor fear I file my silver shoon.\u2019\n10P.5 It was not to the green they gaed,\nBut it was to the water of Tweed.\n10P.6 She bowed her back and she\u2019s taen her on,\nAnd she\u2019s tumbled her in Tweed mill-dam.\n10P.7 \u2018O sister, O sister, O tak my hand,\nAnd I\u2019ll mak you heir of a\u2019 my land.\u2019\n10P.8 \u2018O sister, O sister, I\u2019ll no take your hand,\nAnd I\u2019ll be heir of a\u2019 your land.\u2019\n10P.9 \u2018O sister, O sister, O tak my thumb,\nAnd I\u2019ll give you my true-love John.\u2019\n10P.10 \u2018O sister, O sister, I\u2019ll no tak your thumb,\nAnd I will get your true-love John.\u2019\n10P.11 Aye she swattered and aye she swam,\nUntil she came to the mouth of the dam.\n10P.12 The miller\u2019s daughter went out to Tweed,\nTo get some water to bake her bread.\n10P.13 In again she quickly ran:\n\u2018Here\u2019s a lady or a swan in our mill-dam.\u2019\n10P.14 Out went the miller and his man\nAnd took the lady out of the dam.\n10P.15 They laid her on the brae to dry;\nHer father\u2019s fiddler then rode by.\n10P.16 When he this lady did come near,\nHer ghost to him then did appear.\n10P.17 \u2018When you go to my father the king,\nYou\u2019ll tell him to burn my sister Jean.\n10P.18 \u2018When you go to my father\u2019s gate,\nYou\u2019ll play a spring for fair Ellen\u2019s sake.\n10P.19 \u2018You\u2019ll tak three links of my yellow hair,\nAnd play a spring for evermair.\u2019\n10Q: The Twa Sisters\n10Q.1 THERE dwelt twa sisters in a bower,\nRefrain: Oh and ohone, and ohone and aree!\nAnd the youngest she was the fairest flower.\nRefrain: On the banks of the Banna, ohone and aree!\n10Q.2 There cam a knight to court the twa,\nBut on the youngest his love did fa.\n10Q.3 He courted the eldest with ring and wi glove,\nBut he gave the youngest all his love.\n10Q.4 He courted the eldest with brooch and wi knife,\nBut he loved the youngest as his life.\n10Q.5 \u2018O sister, O sister, will ye come to the stream,\nTo see our father\u2019s ships come in?\u2019\n10Q.6 The youngest stood upon a stane,\nHer sister came and pusht her in.\n10Q.7 \u2018O sister, O sister, come reach me your hand,\nAnd ye shall hae all our father\u2019s land.\n10Q.8 \u2018O sister, O sister, come reach me your glove,\nAnd you shall hae William to be your true love.\u2019\n10Q.9 \u2018I did not put you in with the design\nJust for to pull you out again.\u2019\n10Q.10 Some time she sank, some time she swam,\nUntil she came to a miller\u2019s dam.\n10Q.11 The miller\u2019s daughter dwelt on the Tweed,\nShe went for water to bake her bread.\n10Q.12 \u2018O faither, faither, come drag me your dam,\nFor there\u2019s aither a lady in\u2019t, or a milk-white swan.\u2019\n10Q.13 The miller went, and he dragd his dam,\nAnd he brought her fair body to lan.\n10Q.14 They couldna see her waist sae sma\nFor the goud and silk about it a\u2019.\n10Q.15 They couldna see her yallow hair\nFor the pearls and jewels that were there.\n10Q.16 Then up and spak her ghaist sae green,\n\u2018Do ye no ken the king\u2019s dochter Jean?\n10Q.17 \u2018Tak my respects to my father the king,\nAnd likewise to my mother the queen.\n10Q.18 \u2018Tak my respects to my true love William,\nTell him I deid for the love of him.\n10Q.19 \u2018Carry him a lock of my yallow hair,\nTo bind his heart for evermair.\u2019\n10R: The Twa Sisters\n10R.1 THERE was a king of the north countree,\nRefrain: Bow down, bow down, bow down\nThere was a king of the north countree,\nAnd he had daughters one, two, three.\nRefrain: I\u2019ll be true to my love, and my love\u2019ll be true to me\n10R.2 To the eldest he gave a beaver hat,\nAnd the youngest she thought much of that.\n10R.3 To the youngest he gave a gay gold chain,\nAnd the eldest she thought much of the same.\n10R.4 These sisters were walking on the bryn,\nAnd the elder pushed the younger in.\n10R.5 \u2018Oh sister, oh sister, oh lend me your hand,\nAnd I will give you both houses and land.\u2019\n10R.6 \u2018I\u2019ll neither give you my hand nor glove,\nUnless you give me your true love.\u2019\n10R.7 Away she sank, away she swam,\nUntil she came to a miller\u2019s dam.\n10R.8 The miller and daughter stood at the door,\nAnd watched her floating down the shore.\n10R.9 \u2018Oh father, oh father, I see a white swan,\nOr else it is a fair woman.\u2019\n10R.10 The miller he took up his long crook,\nAnd the maiden up from the stream he took.\n10R.11 \u2018I\u2019ll give to thee this gay gold chain,\nIf you\u2019ll take me back to my father again.\u2019\n10R.12 The miller he took the gay gold chain,\nAnd he pushed her into the water again.\n10R.13 The miller was hanged on his high gate\nFor drowning our poor sister Kate.\n10R.14 The cat\u2019s behind the buttery shelf,\nIf you want any more, you may sing it yourself.\n10S: The Twa Sisters\n10S.1 * * * *\n\u2018O FATHER, father, swims a swan,\u2019\nThis story I\u2019ll vent to thee\n\u2018O father, father, swims a swan,\nUnless it be some dead woman.\u2019\nRefrain: I\u2019ll prove true to my true love,\nIf my love prove true to me\n10S.2 The miller he held out his long fish hook,\nAnd hooked this fair maid from the brook.\n10S.3 She offered the miller a gold ring stane\nTo throw her into the river again.\n10S.4 Down she sunk, and away she swam,\nUntil she came to her father\u2019s brook.\n10S.5 The miller was hung at his mill-gate,\nFor drowning of my sister Kate.\n10T: The Twa Sisters\n10T.1 SISTER, dear sister, where shall we go play?\u2019\nRefrain: Cold blows the wind, and the wind blows low\n\u2018We shall go to the salt sea\u2019s brim.\u2019\nRefrain: And the wind blows cheerily around us, high ho\n10U: The Twa Sisters\n10U.1 THERE was a man lived in the mist,\nRefrain: Bow down, bow down\nHe loved his youngest daughter best.\nRefrain: The bow is bent to me,\nSo you be true to your own true love,\nAnd I\u2019ll be true to thee.\n10U.2 These two sisters went out to swim;\nThe oldest pushed the youngest in.\n10U.3 First she sank and then she swam,\nFirst she sank and then she swam.\n10U.4 The miller, with his rake and hook,\nHe caught her by the petticoat.\n* * * * *\n10[V]: The Twa Sisters\n10[V].1 There dwelt twa sisters in a bower,\nRefrain: Benorie, O Benorie\n10[V.1] The youngest o them was the fairest flower.\nRefrain: In the merry milldams o Benorie\n10[V.2] There cam a wooer them to woo,\n. . . . .\n. . . . .\n10[V.3] He\u2019s gien the eldest o them a broach and a real,\nBecause that she loved her sister weel.\nRefrain: At etc.\u2019p\n10[V.4] He\u2019s gien the eldest a gay penknife,\nHe loved the youngest as dear as his life.\nRefrain: At etc.\n10[V.5] \u2018O sister, O sister, will ye go oer yon glen,\nAnd see my father\u2019s ships coming in?\u2019\nRefrain: At etc.\n10[V.6] \u2018O sister dear, I darena gang,\nBecause I\u2019m feard ye throw me in.\u2019\nRefrain: The etc.\n10[V.7] \u2018O set your foot on yon sea stane,\nAnd was yeer hands in the sea foam.\u2019\nRefrain: At etc.\n10[V.8] She set her foot on yon sea stane,\nTo wash her hands in the sea foam.\nRefrain: At etc.\n10[V.9] . . . . .\nBut the eldest has thrown the youngest in.\nRefrain: The etc.\n10[V.10] \u2018O sister, O sister, lend me your hand,\nAnd ye\u2019se get William and a\u2019 his land.\u2019\n10[V.10r] At etc.\n10[V.11] The miller\u2019s daughter cam out clad in red,\nSeeking water to bake her bread.\n10[V.11r] At etc.\n10[V.12] \u2018O father, O father, gae fish yeer mill-dam,\nThere\u2019s either a lady or a milk-[white] swan.\u2019\n10[V.12r] In etc.\n10[V.13] The miller cam out wi his lang cleek,\nAnd he cleekit the lady out by the feet.\n10[V.13r] From the bonny milldam, etc.\n10[V.14] Ye wadna kend her pretty feet,\nThe American leather was sae neat.\n10[V.14r] In etc.\n10[V.15] Ye wadna kend her pretty legs,\nThe silken stockings were so neat tied.\n10[V.15r] In etc.\n10[V.16] Ye wadna kend her pretty waist,\nThe silken stays were sae neatly laced.\n10[V.16r] In etc.\n10[V.17] Ye wadna kend her pretty face,\nIt was sae prettily preend oer wi lace.\n10[V.17r] In etc.\n10[V.18] Ye wadna kend her yellow hair,\nIt was sae besmeared wi dust and glar.\n10[V.18r] In etc.\n10[V.19] By cam her father\u2019s fiddler fine,\nAnd that lady\u2019s spirit spake to him.\n10[V.19r] From etc.\n10[V.20] She bad him take three taits o her hair,\nAnd make them three strings to his fiddle sae rare.\n10[V.20r] At etc.\n10[V.21] \u2018Take two of my fingers, sae lang and sae white,\nAnd make them pins to your fiddle sae neat.\u2019\n10[V.21r] At etc.\n10[V.22] The ae first spring that the fiddle played\nWas, Cursed be Sir John, my ain true-love.\n10[V.22r] At etc.\n10[V.23] The next spring that the fiddle playd\nWas, Burn burd Hellen, she threw me in.\n10[V.23r] The etc.\n10[W]: The Twa Sisters\n10[W].1 Ther were three ladies playing at the ba,\nRefrain: Norham, down by Norham\n10[W.1] And there cam a knight to view them a\u2019.\nRefrain: By the bonnie mill-dams o Norham\n10[W.2] He courted the aldest wi diamonds and rings,\nBut he loved the youngest abune a\u2019 things.\n* * * * *\n10[W.3] \u2018Oh sister, oh sister, lend me your hand,\nAnd pull my poor body unto dry land.\n10[W.4] \u2018Oh sister, oh sister, lend me your glove,\nAnd you shall have my own true love!\u2019\n10[W.5] Oot cam the miller\u2019s daughter upon Tweed,\nTo carry in water to bake her bread.\n10[W.6] \u2018Oh father, oh father, there\u2019s a fish in your dam;\nIt either is a lady or a milk-white swan.\u2019\n10[W.7] Oot cam the miller\u2019s man upon Tweed,\nAnd there he spied a lady lying dead.\n10[W.8] He could not catch her by the waist,\nFor her silken stays they were tight laced.\n10[W.9] But he did catch her by the hand,\nAnd pulled her poor body unto dry land.\n10[W.10] He took three taets o her bonnie yellow hair,\nTo make harp strings they were so rare.\n10[W.11] The very first tune that the bonnie harp played\nWas The aldest has cuisten the youngest away.\n10[X]: The Twa Sisters\n10[X].1 I see a lady in the dam,\nRefrain: Binnorie, oh Binnorie\n10[X.1] She shenes as sweet as ony swan.\nRefrain: I the bonny milldams o Binnorie\n10[Y]: The Twa Sisters\n10[Y].1 There was a king lived in the North Country,\nRefrain: Hey down down dery down\n10[Y.1] There was a king lived in the North Country,\nRefrain: And the bough it was bent to me\n10[Y.1] There was a king lived in the North Country,\nAnd he had daughters one, two, three.\nRefrain: I\u2019ll prove true to my love,\nIf my love will prove true to me.\n* * * * *\n10[Y.2] He gave the eldest a gay gold ring,\nBut he gave the younger a better thing.\n10[Y.3] He bought the younger a beaver hat;\nThe eldest she thought much of that.\n10[Y.4] \u2018Oh sister, oh sister, let us go run,\nTo see the ships come sailing along!\u2019\n10[Y.5] And when they got to the sea-side brim,\nThe eldest pushed the younger in.\n10[Y.6] \u2018Oh sister, oh sister, lend me your hand,\nI\u2019ll make you heir of my house and land.\u2019\n10[Y.7] \u2018I\u2019ll neither lend you my hand nor my glove,\nUnless you grant me your true-love.\u2019\n10[Y.8] Then down she sunk and away she swam,\nUntill she came to the miller\u2019s mill-dam.\n10[Y.9] The miller\u2019s daughter sat at the mill-door,\nAs fair as never was seen before.\n10[Y.10] \u2018Oh father, oh father, there swims a swan,\nOr else the body of a dead woman.\u2019\n10[Y.11] The miller he ran with his fishing hook,\nTo pull the fair maid out o the brook.\n10[Y.12] \u2018Wee\u2019ll hang the miller upon the mill-gate,\nFor drowning of my sister Kate.\u2019","title":"The Child Ballads: 10. The Twa Sisters","type":"page"}