{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch062.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch062.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch062.htm","text":"Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, II, 102, 1802, chiefly from the recitation of an old woman residing near Kirkhill, in West Lothian.\n62A.1 IT\u2019S narrow, narrow, make your bed,\nAnd learn to lie your lane;\nFor I\u2019m ga\u2019n oer the sea, Fair Annie,\nA braw bride to bring hame.\nWi her I will get gowd and gear;\nWi you I neer got nane.\n62A.2 \u2018But wha will bake my bridal bread,\nOr brew my bridal ale?\nAnd wha will welcome my brisk bride,\nThat I bring oer the dale?\u2019\n62A.3 \u2018It\u2019s I will bake your bridal bread,\nAnd brew your bridal ale,\nAnd I will welcome your brisk bride,\nThat you bring oer the dale.\u2019\n62A.4 \u2018But she that welcomes my brisk bride\nMaun gang like maiden fair;\nShe maun lace on her robe sae jimp,\nAnd braid her yellow hair.\u2019\n62A.5 \u2018But how can I gang maiden-like,\nWhen maiden I am nane?\nHave I not born seven sons to thee,\nAnd am with child again?\u2019\n62A.6 She\u2019s taen her young son in her arms,\nAnother in her hand,\nAnd she\u2019s up to the highest tower,\nTo see him come to land.\n62A.7 \u2018Come up, come up, my eldest son,\nAnd look oer yon sea-strand,\nAnd see your father\u2019s new-come bride,\nBefore she come to land.\u2019\n62A.8 \u2018Come down, come down, my mother dear,\nCome frae the castle wa!\nI fear, if langer ye stand there,\nYe\u2019ll let yoursell down fa.\u2019\n62A.9 And she gaed down, and farther down,\nHer love\u2019s ship for to see,\nAnd the topmast and the mainmast\nShone like the silver free.\n62A.10 And she\u2019s gane down, and farther down,\nThe bride\u2019s ship to behold,\nAnd the topmast and the mainmast\nThey shone just like the gold.\n62A.11 She\u2019s taen her seven sons in her hand,\nI wot she didna fail;\nShe met Lord Thomas and his bride,\nAs they came oer the dale.\n62A.12 \u2018You\u2019re welcome to your house, Lord Thomas,\nYou\u2019re welcome to your land;\nYou\u2019re welcome with your fair ladye,\nThat you lead by the hand.\n62A.13 \u2018You\u2019re welcome to your ha\u2019s, ladye,\nYour welcome to your bowers;\nYou\u2019re welcome to your hame, ladye,\nFor a\u2019 that\u2019s here is yours.\u2019\n62A.14 \u2018I thank thee, Annie; I thank thee, Annie,\nSae dearly as I thank thee;\nYou\u2019re the likest to my sister Annie,\nThat ever I did see.\n62A.15 \u2018There came a knight out oer the sea,\nAnd steald my sister away;\nThe shame scoup in his company,\nAnd land whereer he gae!\u2019\n62A.16 She hang ae napkin at the door,\nAnother in the ha,\nAnd a\u2019 to wipe the trickling tears,\nSae fast as they did fa.\n62A.17 And aye she served the lang tables,\nWith white bread and with wine,\nAnd aye she drank the wan water,\nTo had her colour fine.\n62A.18 And aye she served the lang tables,\nWith white bread and with brown;\nAnd ay she turned her round about,\nSae fast the tears fell down.\n62A.19 And he\u2019s taen down the silk napkin,\nHung on a silver pin,\nAnd aye he wipes the tear trickling\nA\u2019 down her cheek and chin.\n62A.20 And aye he turn\u2019d him round about,\nAnd smiled amang his men;\nSays, Like ye best the old ladye,\nOr her that\u2019s new come hame?\n62A.21 When bells were rung, and mass was sung,\nAnd a\u2019 men bound to bed,\nLord Thomas and his new-come bride\nTo their chamber they were gaed.\n62A.22 Annie made her bed a little forbye,\nTo hear what they might say;\n\u2018And ever alas!\u2019 Fair Annie cried,\n\u2018That I should see this day!\n62A.23 \u2018Gin my seven sons were seven young rats,\nRunning on the castle wa,\nAnd I were a grew cat mysell,\nI soon would worry them a\u2019.\n62A.24 \u2018Gin my seven sons were seven young hares,\nRunning oer yon lilly lee,\nAnd I were a grew hound mysell,\nSoon worried they a\u2019 should be.\u2019\n62A.25 And wae and sad Fair Annie sat,\nAnd drearie was her sang,\nAnd ever, as she sobbd and grat,\n\u2018Wae to the man that did the wrang!\u2019\n62A.26 \u2018My gown is on,\u2019 said the new-come bride,\n\u2018My shoes are on my feet,\nAnd I will to Fair Annie\u2019s chamber,\nAnd see what gars her greet.\n62A.27 \u2018What ails ye, what ails ye, Fair Annie,\nThat ye make sic a moan?\nHas your wine barrels cast the girds,\nOr is your white bread gone?\n62A.28 \u2018O wha was\u2019t was your father, Annie,\nOr wha was\u2019t was your mother?\nAnd had ye ony sister, Annie,\nOr had ye ony brother?\u2019\n62A.29 \u2018The Earl of Wemyss was my father,\nThe Countess of Wemyss my mother;\nAnd a\u2019 the folk about the house\nTo me were sister and brother.\u2019\n62A.30 \u2018If the Earl of Wemyss was your father,\nI wot sae was he mine;\nAnd it shall not be for lack o gowd\nThat ye your love sall tyne.\n62A.31 \u2018For I have seven ships o mine ain,\nA\u2019 loaded to the brim,\nAnd I will gie them a\u2019 to thee,\nWi four to thine eldest son:\nBut thanks to a\u2019 the powers in heaven\nThat I gae maiden hame!\u2019\n62B: Fair Annie\nJamieson\u2019s Popular Ballads, II, 376, from the recitation of Mrs Arrot, of Aberbrothick.\n62B.1 THERE livd a lord on yon sea-side,\nAnd he thought on a wile,\nHow he would go over the saut sea\nA lady to beguile.\n62B.2 \u2018O learn to mak your bed, Helen,\nAnd learn to ly your lane,\nFor I\u2019m gaun over the saut seas\nA bright bride to bring hame.\u2019\n62B.3 \u2018How can I mak my bed,\u2019 she says,\n\u2018Unless I mak it wide,\nWhan I have seven o your sons\nTo lie down by my side?\n62B.4 \u2018And the first o your seven sons,\nHe rides a milk-white steed;\nThe second o your seven sons\nHe wears a milk-white weed.\n62B.5 \u2018The third ane o your seven sons,\nHe draws baith ale and wine;\nThe fourth ane o your seven sons,\nHe serves you when you dine.\n62B.6 \u2018The fifth ane o your seven sons,\nHe can baith read and write;\nAnd the sixth ane o your seven sons,\nHe is a\u2019 your heart\u2019s delight.\n62B.7 \u2018And the youngest o your seven sons,\nHe sleeps on my breast-bane;\nWhan him and I ly down at night,\nFor him rest get I nane.\u2019\n62B.8 \u2018O wha will bake my bridal bread,\nAnd brew my bridal ale?\nAnd wha will welcome my gae lady,\nThat I bring oer the dale?\n62B.9 \u2018And sin ye\u2019ve taen the turn in hand,\nSee that ye do it right,\nAnd ilka chimly o the house,\nThat they be dearly dight.\u2019\n62B.10 O a\u2019 the day she washd and wrang,\nAnd a\u2019 the night she buik,\nAnd she\u2019s awa to her chamber,\nTo gie her young son suck.\n62B.11 \u2018Come here, come here, my eldest son,\nAnd see what ye may see;\nFor yonder comes your father dear,\nYour mother-in-law side be.\u2019\n62B.12 She\u2019s taen a cake o the best bread,\nA bottle o the best wine,\nAnd a\u2019 the keys upon her arm,\nAnd to the yates she\u2019s gaen.\n62B.13 \u2018Ye are welcome hame, gay lady,\u2019 she said,\n\u2018And ay ye are welcome hame;\nAnd sae is a\u2019 the gentlewomen\nThat\u2019s wi you ridden and gane.\n62B.14 \u2018You are welcome hame, gay lord\u2019 she said,\n\u2018And ay ye are welcome hame;\nAnd sae is a\u2019 the gentlemen\nThat\u2019s wi you ridden and gane.\u2019\n62B.15 She saird them up, she saird them down,\nShe saird them till and frae;\nBut when she went behind their backs,\nThe tear did blind her ee.\n62B.16 Whan day was gane, and night was come,\nAnd a\u2019 man boun to bed,\nThe bridegroom and the bonny bride\nIn their chamber was laid.\n62B.17 Burd Helen and her seven sons\nLay in a bower near by;\n. . . . .\n. . . . .\n62B.18 \u2018If my seven sons were seven grey ratts,\nTo rin frae wa to wa,\nAnd I mysel a good grey cat,\nI would bite their back a-twa.\n62B.19 \u2018If my seven sons were seven grey hares,\nAnd them to rin a race,\nAnd I mysel a good greyhound,\nI would gie them a chace.\u2019\n62B.20 Up and spak the bonny bride,\nIn chamber where she lay:\n\u2018There is a lady in this bower,\nShe will gae mad or day.\u2019\n62B.21 \u2018Lye still, lye still, my bonny bride,\nLye still and tak a sleep;\nIt\u2019s but ane o my wine puncheons;\nNae langer wad it keep.\u2019\n62B.22 \u2018King Henry was my father dear,\nQueen Catherine was my mother,\nLady Anne she was my sister dear,\nAnd Frederick was my brother.\n62B.23 \u2018And whan I was six years of age,\nThey ca\u2019d me Mary Mild;\nI was stown frae my father\u2019s yate,\nWhan I was but a child.\u2019\n62B.24 Then up and spak the bonny bride,\nBy her lord as she lay:\n\u2018Lye down, lye down, my dear sister,\nThere\u2019s nae ill done for me.\n62B.25 \u2018O seven ships conveyd me here,\nAnd seven came oer the main;\nAnd four o them shall stay wi you,\nAnd three convey me hame.\n62B.26 \u2018But when I gae hame to my father\u2019s house,\nThey will laugh me to scorn,\nTo come awa a wedded wife,\nGae hame a maid the morn.\u2019\n62C: Fair Annie\nMotherwell\u2019s manuscript, p. 351, from the recitation of Janet Holmes, an old woman in Kilbarchan, who derived the ballad from her mother; July 18, 1825.\n62C.1 LEARN to mak you bed, honey,\nAnd learn to lye your lane,\nFor I\u2019m gaun owre the salt seas,\nA fair lady to bring hame.\n62C.2 \u2018And with her I\u2019ll get gold and gear,\nWith thee I neer got nane;\nI took you as a waaf woman,\nI leave you as the same.\u2019\n62C.3 \u2018What aileth thee at me, my lord,\nWhat aileth thee at me,\nWhen seven bonnie sons I have born,\nAll of your fair bodie?\n62C.4 \u2018The eldest of your seven sons,\nHe can both read and write;\nThe second of your sons, my lord,\nCan do it more perfyte.\n62C.5 \u2018The third one of your sons, my lord,\nHe waters your milk-white steed;\nThe fourth one of your sons, my lord,\nWith red gold shines his weed.\n62C.6 \u2018The fifth one of your sons, my lord,\nHe serves you when you dine;\nThe sixth one now you do behold,\nHow he walks out and in.\n62C.7 \u2018The seventh one of your sons, my lord,\nSucks hard at my breast-bane;\nWhen a\u2019 the house they are at rest,\nFor him I can get nane.\n62C.8 \u2018And if you leave me thus forlorn,\nA wainless wife I\u2019ll be,\nFor anybody\u2019s gold or gear\nThat is beyond the sea.\u2019\n62C.9 \u2018O wha will bake my bridal bread,\nOr wha will brew my ale?\nOr wha will cook my kitchen neat,\nOr give my men their meal?\u2019\n62C.10 \u2018For love I\u2019ll bake your bridal bread,\nTo brew your ale I\u2019m fain,\nTo cook your kitchen, as I have done,\nTill you return again.\u2019\n62C.11 \u2018O wha will bake my bridal bread,\nOr wha will brew my ale?\nOr wha will welcome my braw bride,\nThat I bring owre the dale?\u2019\n62C.12 \u2018For love I\u2019ll bake your bridal bread,\nFor love I\u2019ll brew your ale,\nAnd I will welcome your braw bride\nThat you bring owre the dale.\u2019\n62C.13 Her mind she keeped, but sair she weepd\nThe time that he was gane\n. . . . . .\n. . . . . .\n62C.14 \u2018Go up, go up, my eldest son,\nGo to the upmost ha,\nAnd see if you see your father coming,\nWith your mother-to-be-in-law.\u2019\n62C.15 \u2018Put on, put on, O mother dear,\nPut on your gouns so braw,\nFor yonder is my father coming,\nWith my mother-to-be-in-law.\u2019\n62C.16 She\u2019s taen the wheat-bread in one hand,\nThe red wines, which plenty were,\nAnd she\u2019s gane to the outmost gate,\nAnd bid them welcome there.\n62C.17 \u2018You\u2019re welcome here, my brother dear,\nYe\u2019re welcome, brother John;\nYe\u2019re welcome a\u2019 my brethern dear,\nThat has this journey gone.\u2019\n62C.18 \u2018I thank you, sister Annie,\u2019 he says,\n\u2018And I thank you heartilie,\nAnd as you\u2019ve welcomed home myself,\nYou\u2019ll welcome my fair ladye.\u2019\n62C.19 \u2018If I had roses to my feet,\nAnd ribbons to my gown,\nAnd as leal a maid as your braw bride,\nI would speak without a frown.\u2019\n62C.20 He\u2019s given her roses to her feet,\nAnd ribbons to her gown,\nAnd she has welcomed his braw bride,\nBut weel that was her own!\n62C.21 \u2018I thank you, sister Annie,\u2019 she says,\n\u2018I thank you heartilie,\nAnd if I be seven years about this place,\nRewarded you shall be.\u2019\n62C.22 She served them up, she served them down,\nAnd she served all their cries,\nAnd aye as she came down the stair\nThe tears fell from her eyes.\n62C.23 When mass was sung, and all bells rung,\nAnd all men boune for bed,\nThe good lord and his fair lady\nWere in their chamber laid.\n62C.24 But poor Annie and her seven sons\nWas in a room hard by,\nAnd as she lay she sighed and wept,\nAnd thus began to cry:\n62C.25 \u2018O were my sons transformed to cats,\nTo speel this castle wa,\nAnd I mysell a red blood-hound\nThat I might worry them a\u2019!\u2019\n62C.26 The bride she overhearing all,\nAnd sair she rued her fate:\n\u2018Awauk, awauk, my lord,\u2019 she said,\n\u2018Awauk, for well you may;\nFor There\u2019s a woman in this gate\nThat will go mad ere day.\n62C.27 \u2018I fear she is a leman of thine,\nAnd a leman meek and mild;\nGet up and pack her down the stairs,\nTho the woods were neer sae wild.\u2019\n62C.28 \u2018O yes, she is a leman of mine,\nAnd a leman meek and kind,\nAnd I will not pack her down the stairs,\nFor a\u2019 the gear that\u2019s thine.\u2019\n62C.29 \u2018O wha\u2019s your father, Ann?\u2019 she says,\n\u2018Or wha\u2019s your mother dear?\nOr wha\u2019s your sister, Ann?\u2019 she says,\n\u2018Or brother? let me hear.\u2019\n62C.30 \u2018King Easter he\u2019s my father dear,\nThe Queen my mother was;\nJohn Armstrang, in the west-airt lands,\nMy eldest brother is.\u2019\n62C.31 \u2018Then I\u2019m your sister, Ann,\u2019 she says,\n\u2018And I\u2019m a full sister to thee;\nYou were stolen awa when very young,\nBy the same lord\u2019s treacherie.\n62C.32 \u2018I\u2019ve seven ships upon the sea,\nAll loaded to the brim,\nAnd five of them I\u2019ll give to thee,\nAnd twa shall carry me hame.\n62C.33 \u2018My mother shall mak my tocher up,\nWhen I tell her how you thrive;\nFor we never knew where you was gone,\nOr if you was alive.\u2019\n62D: Fair Annie\nHerd, The Ancient and Modern Scots Songs, 1769, p.307.\n62D.1 \u2018WHA will bake my bridal bread,\nAnd brew my bridal ale?\nAnd wha will welcome my brisk bride,\nThat I bring oer the dale?\u2019\n62D.2 \u2018I will bake your bridal bread,\nAnd brew your bridal ale,\nAnd I will welcome your brisk bride,\nThat you bring oer the dale.\u2019\n62D.3 \u2018But she that welcomes my brisk bride\nMaun gang like maiden fair;\nShe maun lace on her robe sae jimp,\nAnd braid her yellow hair.\u2019\n62D.4 \u2018But how can I gang maiden-like,\nWhen maiden I am nane?\nHave I not born seven sons to thee,\nAnd am with child agen?\u2019\n62D.5 She\u2019s taen her young son in her arms,\nAnother in her hand,\nAnd she\u2019s up to the highest tower,\nTo see him come to land.\n62D.6 \u2018You\u2019re welcome to your house, master,\nYou\u2019re welcome to your land;\nYou\u2019re welcome with your fair lady,\nThat you lead by the hand.\u2019\n\u2019\u2019 \u2019\u2019 \u2019\u2019 \u2019\u2019 \u2019\u2019\n62D.7 And ay she servd the lang tables,\nWith white bread and with wine,\nAnd ay she drank the wan water,\nTo had her colour fine.\n62D.8 Now he\u2019s taen down a silk napkin,\nHung on the silver pin,\nAnd ay he wipes the tears trickling\nAdown her cheek and chin.\n62E: Fair Annie\nJamieson-Brown MS., fol. 20; Jamieson\u2019s Popular Ballads, II, 371.\n62E.1 \u2018O WHA will bake my bridal bread,\nAnd brew my bridal ale?\nWha will welcome my bright bride,\nThat I bring oer the dale?\u2019\n62E.2 \u2018O I will bake your bridal bread,\nAn brew your bridal ale;\nAn I will welcome your bright bride,\nThat you bring oer the dale.\n62E.3 \u2018O she that welcomes my bright bride\nMaun gang like maiden fair;\nShe maun lace her in her green cloathin,\nAn braid her yallow hair.\u2019\n62E.4 \u2018O how can I gang maiden like,\nWhan maiden I am nane?\nWhan I ha born you seven sons,\nAn am wi bairn again?\u2019\n62E.5 The lady stood in her bowr door\nAn lookit oer the lan,\nAn there she saw her ain good lord,\nLeadin his bride by the han.\n62E.6 She\u2019s dressd her sons i the scarlet red,\nHersel i the dainty green,\nAn tho her cheek lookd pale and wan,\nShe well might ha been a queen.\n62E.7 She calld upon her eldest son:\n\u2018Look yonder what you see;\nFor yonder comes your father dear,\nYour step-mother him wi.\n62E.8 \u2018O you\u2019r welcome hame, my ain good lord,\nTo your ha\u2019s but an your bowrs;\nYou\u2019r welcome hame, my ain good lord,\nTo your castles an your towrs:\nSae is your bright bride you beside,\nShe\u2019s fairer nor the flowers.\u2019\n62E.9 \u2018O whatn a lady\u2019s that?\u2019 she says,\n\u2018That welcoms you an me?\nIf I\u2019m lang lady about this place,\nSome good I will her dee.\nShe looks sae like my sister Jane,\nWas stoln i the bowr frae me.\u2019\n62E.10 O she has servd the lang tables,\nWi the white bread an the wine;\nBut ay she drank the wan water,\nTo keep her colour fine.\n62E.11 \u2018An she gid by the first table,\nAn leugh amo them a\u2019;\nBut ere she reachd the second table,\nShe let the tears down fa.\n62E.12 She\u2019s taen a napkin lang an white,\nAn hung\u2019t upon a pin;\nIt was to dry her watry eyes,\nAs she went out and in.\n62E.13 Whan bells were rung, an mass was sung,\nAn a\u2019 man boun to bed,\nThe bride but an the bonny bridegroom\nIn ae chamber was laid.\n62E.14 She\u2019s taen her harp intill her han,\nTo harp this twa asleep;\nAn ay as she harped an she sang,\nFull sorely did she weep.\n62E.15 \u2018O seven fu fair sons I have born\nTo the good lord o this place,\nAn I wish that they were seven hares,\nTo run the castle race,\nAn I mysel a good gray houn,\nAn I woud gi them chase.\n62E.16 \u2018O seven fu fair sons I have born\nTo the good lord o this ha;\nI wish that they were seven rottons,\nTo rin the castle wa,\nAn I mysell a good gray cat,\nI wot I woud worry them a\u2019\n62E.17 \u2018The earle o Richmond was my father,\nAn the lady was my mother,\nAn a\u2019 the bairns bisides mysel\nWas a sister an a brother.\u2019\n62E.18 \u2018Sing on, sing on, ye gay lady,\nI wot ye hae sung in time;\nGin the earle o Richmond was your father,\nI wot sae was he mine.\u2019\n62E.19 \u2018Rise up, rise up, my bierly bride;\nI think my bed\u2019s but caul;\nI woudna hear my lady lament\nFor your tocher ten times taul.\n62E.20 \u2018O seven ships did bring you here,\nAn an sal tak you hame;\nThe leve I\u2019ll keep to your sister Jane,\nFor tocher she gat nane.\u2019\n62F: Fair Annie\nMotherwell\u2019s MS., p. 385; Motherwell\u2019s Minstrelsy, p. 327. From the recitation of Mrs Rule, Paisley, August 16, 1825.\n62F.1 \u2018LEARN to mak your bed, Annie,\nAnd learn to lie your lane,\nFor I maun owre the salt seas gang,\nA brisk bride to bring hame.\n62F.2 \u2018Bind up, bind up your yellow hair,\nAnd tye it in your neck,\nAnd see you look as maiden-like\nAs the first day that we met.\u2019\n62F.3 \u2018O how can I look maiden-like,\nWhen a maid I\u2019ll never be;\nWhen seven brave sons I\u2019ve born to thee,\nAnd the eighth is in my bodie?\n62F.4 \u2018The eldest of your sons, my lord,\nWi red gold shines his weed;\nThe second of your sons, my lord,\nRides on a milk-white steed.\n62F.5 \u2018And the third of your sons, my lord,\nHe draws your beer and wine,\nAnd the fourth of your sons, my lord,\nCan serve you when you dine.\n62F.6 \u2018And the fift of your sons, my lord,\nHe can both read and write,\nAnd the sixth of your sons, my lord,\nCan do it maist perfyte.\n62F.7 \u2018And the sevent of your sons, my lord,\nSits on the nurse\u2019s knee;\nAnd how can I look maiden-like,\nWhen a maid I\u2019ll never be?\n62F.8 \u2018But wha will bake your wedding bread,\nAnd brew your bridal ale?\nOr wha will welcome your brisk bride,\nThat you bring owre the dale?\u2019\n62F.9 \u2018I\u2019ll put cooks in my kitchen,\nAnd stewards in my hall,\nAnd I\u2019ll have bakers for my bread,\nAnd brewers for my ale;\nBut you\u2019re to welcome my brisk bride,\nThat I bring owre the dale.\u2019\n62F.10 He set his fut into his ship,\nAnd his cock-boat on the main;\nHe swore it would be year and day\nOr he returned again.\n62F.11 When year and day was past and gane,\nFair Annie she thocht lang,\nAnd she is up to her bower-head,\nTo behold both sea and land.\n62F.12 \u2018Come up, come up, my eldest son,\nAnd see now what you see;\nO yonder comes your father dear,\nAnd your stepmother-to-be.\u2019\n62F.13 \u2018Cast off your gown of black, mother,\nPut on your gown of brown,\nAnd I\u2019ll put off my mourning weeds,\nAnd we\u2019ll welcome him home.\u2019\n62F.14 She\u2019s taken wine into her hand,\nAnd she has taken bread,\nAnd she is down to the water-side\nTo welcome them indeed.\n62F.15 \u2018You\u2019re welcome, my lord, you\u2019re welcome, my lord,\nYou\u2019re welcome home to me;\nSo is every lord and gentleman\nThat is in your companie.\n62F.16 \u2018You\u2019re welcome, my lady, you\u2019re welcome, my lady,\nYou\u2019re welcome home to me;\nSo is every lady and gentleman\nThat\u2019s in your companye.\u2019\n62F.17 \u2018I thank you, my girl, I thank you, my girl,\nI thank you heartilie;\nIf I live seven years about this house,\nRewarded you shall be.\u2019\n62F.18 She served them up, she served them down,\nWith the wheat bread and the wine;\nBy aye she drank the cold water,\nTo keep her colour fine.\n62F.19 She servd them up, she servd them down,\nWith the wheat bread and the beer;\nBy aye she drank the cauld water,\nTo keep her colour clear.\n62F.20 When bells were rung and mass was sung,\nAnd all were boune for rest,\nFair Annie laid her sons in bed,\nAnd a sorrowful woman she was.\n62F.21 \u2018Will I go to the salt, salt seas,\nAnd see the fishes swim?\nOr will I go to the gay green-wood,\nAnd hear the small birds sing?\u2019\n62F.22 Out and spoke an aged man,\nThat stood behind the door:\n\u2018Ye will not go to the salt, salt seas,\nTo see the fishes swim;\nNor will ye go to the gay green-wood,\nTo hear the small birds sing.\n62F.23 \u2018But ye\u2019ll take a harp, into your hand,\nGo to the chamber door,\nAnd aye ye\u2019ll harp, and aye ye\u2019ll murn,\nWith the salt tears falling oer.\u2019\n62F.24 She\u2019s tane a harp into her hand,\nWent to their chamber door,\nAnd aye she harpd, and aye she murnd,\nWith the salt tears falling oer.\n62F.25 Out and spak the brisk young bride, I\nn bride-bed where she lay:\n\u2018I think I hear my sister Annie,\nAnd I wish weel it may;\nFor a Scotish lord staw her awa,\nAnd an ill death may he die!\n62F.26 \u2018Wha was your father, my girl,\u2019 she says,\n\u2018Or wha was your mother?\nOr had you ever a sister dear,\nOr had you ever a brother?\u2019\n62F.27 \u2018King Henry was my father dear,\nQueen Easter was my mother,\nPrince Henry was my brother dear,\nAnd Fanny Flower my sister.\u2019\n62F.28 \u2018If King Henry was your father dear,\nAnd Queen Easter was your mother,\nAnd Prince Henry was your brother dear,\nThen surely I\u2019m your sister.\n62F.29 \u2018Come to your bed, my sister dear,\nIt neer was wrangd for me,\nBut an ae kiss of his merry mouth,\nAs we cam owre the sea.\u2019\n62F.30 \u2018Awa, awa, ye forenoon bride,\nAwa, awa frae me!\nI wudna hear my Annie greet,\nFor a\u2019 the gold I got wi thee.\u2019\n62F.31 \u2018There was five ships of gay red gold\nCame owre the seas with me;\nIt\u2019s twa o them will take me hame,\nAnd three I\u2019ll leave wi thee.\n62F.32 \u2018Seven ships o white money\nCame owre the seas wi me;\nFive o them I\u2019ll leave wi thee,\nAnd twa\u2019ll tak me hame,\nAnd my mother will mak my portion up,\nWhen I return again.\u2019\n62 G: Fair Annie\nCommunicated by Miss Margaret Reburn, as current in County Meath, Ireland, 1860-70.\n62G.1 SHE served them up, she served them down,\nShe served them up with wine,\nBut still she drank the clear spring water,\nTo keep her color fine.\n62G.2 \u2018I must get up, she must sit down,\nShe must sit in my place,\nOr else be torn by wild horses\nAnd thrown over the gates.\u2019\n62G.3 \u2018You wont get up, she wont sit down,\nShe wont sit in your place,\nNor yet be torn by wild horses,\nNor thrown over the gates.\u2019\n62G.4 She called up her seven sons,\nBy one, by two, by three:\n\u2018I wish you were all seven gray-hounds,\nThis night to worry me.\u2019\n62G.5 \u2018What ails you, fair Ellen? what ails you, fair?\nOr why do you sigh and moan?\u2019\n\u2018The hoops are off my wine hogsheads,\nAnd my wine is overflown.\u2019\n62 H: Fair Annie\nFrom Dr Thomas Davidson. Aberdeenshire.\n62H.1 \u2018BUT wha will bake my bridal bread,\nAn brew my bridal ale,\nAnd wha will welcome my bride hame,\nIs mair that I can tell.\u2019\n62H.2 \u2018It\u2019s I will bake your bridal bread,\nAnd brew your bridal ale,\nBut wha will welcome your bride hame,\nIt\u2019ll need tae be yersel.\u2019\n62H.3 An she\u2019s hung up a silken towel\nUpon a golden pin,\n...tae wipe her een,\nAs she gaed but and ben.\n62I: Fair Annie\nKinloch MSS, I, 155, May, 1827. \"Composed of three recited versions obtained in the west of Scotland.\"\n62I.1 \u2018LEARN to mak your bed, Annie,\nAnd learn to lie your lane;\nFor I am gaing oure the saut seas,\nA brisk bride to bring hame.\n62I.2 \u2018Wi her I will get gowd and gear;\nWi thee I neer gat nane;\nI got thee as a waif woman,\nI\u2019ll leave thee as the same.\n62I.3 \u2018O wha will bake my bridal bread,\nOr brew my bridal ale?\nOr wha welcome my brisk bride,\nThat I\u2019ll bring oure the dale?\u2019\n62I.4 \u2018O I will bake your bridal bread,\nAnd brew your bridal ale;\nBut I downa welcam your brisk bride\nThat ye\u2019ll bring frae the dale.\u2019\n62I.5 \u2018She that welcomes my brisk bride,\nShe maun took maiden-like;\nShe maun kaim doun her yellow locks,\nAnd lay them in her neck.\u2019\n62I.6 \u2018O how can I look maiden-like,\nWhen maiden I am nane?\nFor seven sons I hae born to thee,\nAnd the eighth lies in my wame.\n62I.7 \u2018But what aileth thee at me, my lord,\nWhat aileth thee at me,\nWhan seven braw sons I\u2019ve born to thee,\nOut of my fair bodie?\n62I.8 \u2018The first ane of your sons, my lord,\nCan baith read and write;\nAnd the second of your sons, my lord,\nCan do it maist perfyte.\n62I.9 \u2018The third ane o your sons, my lord,\nCan water your grey steed;\nAnd the fourth ane o your sons, my lord,\nCan bake your bridal bread.\n62I.10 \u2018The fifth ane o your sons, my lord,\nCan serve ye whan ye dine;\nAnd the sixth ane o your sons, my lord,\nCan brew your bridal wine.\n62I.11 \u2018The seventh ane o your sons, my lord,\nLies close at my breist-bane;\nWhan a\u2019 the lave are fast asleep,\nIt\u2019s rest I can get nane.\u2019\n62I.12 He set his foot into the stirrup,\nHis hand upon the mane;\nSays, It will be year and day, ladie,\nEre ye see me again.\n62I.13 Whan he had ae foot on the sea,\nThe ither on dry lan,\n\u2018It will be year and day, ladie,\nTill I come back again.\u2019\n62I.14 Whan year and day war past and gane,\nFair Annie she thought lang;\nAnd she went up to her hie tower,\nWi a silk seam in her hand.\n62I.15 She lookit east, she lookit west,\nAnd south, below the sun,\nAnd there she spied her ain gude lord,\nComing sailing to the lan.\n62I.16 She called up her seven braw sons,\nBy ane, twa, and by three:\n\u2018See, yonder comes your father,\nAnd your mother-for-to-be.\u2019\n62I.17 And she called up her servants a\u2019:\n\u2018O come, behold and see!\nO yonder comes your master dear,\nAnd a new mistress brings he.\n62I.18 \u2018Gae doun, gae doun, my eldest son,\nInto the outmost ha,\nAnd if ye welcome ane o them,\nBe sure to welcome a\u2019.\u2019\n62I.19 Some ran east, and some ran west,\nAnd some ran to the sea;\nThere was na ane in a\u2019 his house\nTo welcome his new ladie.\n62I.20 But Annie\u2019s to her coffer gane,\nTane out a silver kaim,\nAnd she\u2019s kaimd doun her yellow hair,\nAs she a maid had been.\n62I.21 And Annie has kaimd her lang yellow locks,\nAnd laid them in her neck;\nAnd she\u2019s awa to the saut, saut sea,\nTo welcome his lady aff deck.\n62I.22 She durst na ca him her ain gude lord,\nFor angering o the bride;\nBut she did ca him master dear,\nAnd I wat he was richt glad.\n62I.23 \u2018You\u2019re welcome, you\u2019re welcome, master,\u2019 she said,\n\u2018To your halls bot an your bouers;\nAnd sae are a\u2019 thir merry young men\nThat come alang with you.\n62I.24 \u2018You\u2019re welcome, you\u2019re welcome, fair ladie,\nTo your halls but an your bouers;\nAnd sae are a\u2019 thir gay ladies;\nFor a\u2019 that\u2019s here is yours.\u2019\n62I.25 \u2018I thank ye, I thank ye, fair maiden,\nI thank ye kindlie;\nIf I be lang about this house,\nRewarded ye sall be.\n62I.26 \u2018I have a brither o mine ain;\nHe\u2019s newly come from sea;\nI think it wad be a richt gude match\nTo marry him and thee.\u2019\n62I.27 \u2018I thank ye, I thank ye, fair ladie;\nGie your brither to whom like ye;\nBut there\u2019s never ane in this warld\nMy wedding day sall see:\nBut one word o my master dear\nIn private wad I be.\u2019\n\u2019\u2019 \u2019\u2019 \u2019\u2019 \u2019\u2019 \u2019\u2019\n62I.28 The first dish that fair Annie set doun,\nShe lookit baith pale and wan;\nThe neist dish that fair Annie set doun,\nShe was scarce able to stan.\n62I.29 \u2018O is this your mistress, good lord,\u2019 she says,\n\u2018Although she looks modest and mild?\nThen we will hunt her frae our house\nWi dogs and hawks sae wild.\u2019\n62I.30 \u2018She\u2019s na my mistress, dear lady,\u2019 he says,\n\u2018Altho she looks modest and mild;\nNor will we hunt her frae our house\nWi dogs and hawks sae wild.\u2019\n62I.31 Whan bells war rung, and mass was sung,\nAnd a\u2019 men boun for bed,\nThe bonnie bride and the bridegroom\nIn bride\u2019s bed they were laid.\n62I.32 Whan dinner was past, and supper was by,\nAnd a\u2019 were boun for bed,\nFair Annie and her seven sons\nIn a puir bye-chamber war laid.\n62I.33 Fair Annie took out her virginals,\nAnd sadly did she play;\n. . . . .\n. . . . .\n62I.34 \u2018O gin my sons were yon grey rats,\nThat climb the castle-wa,\nAnd I mysel a bloody grey cat,\nI\u2019d rise and worry them a\u2019.\u2019\n62I.35 Then out and spak the bonny bride,\nIn bride\u2019s bed whare she lay:\n\u2018I think this is like my sister Anne,\nThat doth sae sadly play.\u2019\n62I.36 \u2018Lie still, lie still, my gay ladie,\nLie still and sleep a wee;\nIt\u2019s nathing but an auld servant,\nThat waileth sae for me.\u2019\n62I.37 \u2018O gin my seven sons were seven young hares,\nThat rin round the castle wa,\nAnd I mysel a bluidy grewhund,\nI wad rise and worry them a\u2019.\u2019\n62I.38 The new bride waukenit in the nicht,\nAnd blew upon her horn:\n\u2018I think I hear my sister\u2019s voice,\nThat was stown frae us a bairn.\u2019\n62I.39 \u2018Sleep on, sleep on, dear lady,\u2019 he says,\n\u2018It\u2019s yon maiden in her dream,\n. . . . . .\n. . . . . .\n62I.40 \u2018O wha was eer thy father, fair maid,\nOr wha was eer thy mither?\nOr wha was eer thy ae sister,\nOr wha was eer thy brither?\u2019\n62I.41 \u2018King Henry was my father,\u2019 she said,\n\u2018Queen Elinore was my mither;\nFair Marion was my ae sister,\nEarl Robert was my brither.\u2019\n62I.42 \u2018Sin King Henry was your father, fair maid,\nAnd Queen Elinore your mither,\nO I am een your ae sister,\nAnd ye are just the ither.\n62I.43 \u2018Come to your bed, fair Annie,\u2019 she said,\n\u2018Come to your bed full sune;\nI may weel say, I daur weel say,\nThere is na evil dune.\n62I.44 \u2018Seven ships of gold did bring me here,\nBut ane shall tak me hame;\nSix I will leave to my sister Anne,\nTo bring up her children young.\n62I.45 \u2018But whan I gang to my father\u2019s ha,\nAnd tirl on the pin,\nThe meanest in a\u2019 my father\u2019s house\nWill ca me a forsaken ane.\u2019\n62J: Fair Annie\nBuchan\u2019s MSS, I, 66.\n62J.1 \u2018LEARN, O learn, Fair Annie,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018O learn to lie your lane;\nFor I am going ower the sea,\nTo woo and to bring hame\n62J.2 \u2018A brighter and a fairer dame\nThan ever ye hae been;\nFor I am going ower the sea,\nTo chuse and bring her hame.\u2019\n62J.3 \u2018What aileth thee, my ain gude lord,\nWhat aileth thee at me?\nFor seven braw sons hae I born\nUnto your fair bodie.\n62J.4 \u2018The eldest o your sons, my lord,\nIs heir o a\u2019 your land;\nThe second o your braw young sons\nHe rises at your right hand.\n62J.5 \u2018The third o your braw young sons\nHe serves you when you dine;\nThe fourth o your braw sons, my lord,\nHe bring to you the wine.\n62J.6 \u2018The fifth o your braw young sons\nRight well can use the pen;\nThe sixth o your braw young sons,\nHe\u2019s travelling but and ben.\n62J.7 \u2018The seventh o your braw young sons,\nHe lies on my breast-bane,\nThe fairest flower amo them a\u2019,\nThat lay my sides between.\u2019\n62J.8 \u2018But I am going ower the sea,\nTo woo and to bring hame\nA lady wi some gowd and gear;\nWi you I never got nane.\u2019\n62J.9 \u2018Ye staw me awa in twall years auld,\nYe sought nae gowd wi me;\nYe put me to the schools o Ayr\nFor fully years three.\n62J.10 \u2018But wha\u2019ll be cook in your kitchen,\nAnd butler in your ha?\nAnd wha will govern your merry young men,\nWhen ye are far awa?\u2019\n62J.11 \u2018O ye\u2019ll be cook in my kitchen,\nAnd butler in my ha,\nAnd ye\u2019ll wait on my merry young men,\nAnd serve them ane and a\u2019.\u2019\n62J.12 \u2018But wha will bake your bridal bread,\nAnd wha will brew your ale?\nAnd wha will welcome that lady\nThat ye bring ower the dale.\n62J.13 \u2018O ye will bake my bridal bread,\nAnd ye will brew my ale,\nAnd ye will welcome that lady\nThat I bring ower the dale.\n62J.14 \u2018Ye\u2019ll bake bread, and ye\u2019ll brew ale,\nFor three score knights and ten;\nThat day month I gang awa,\nThe same day I\u2019ll come again.\u2019\n62J.15 \u2018O I will bake your bridal bread,\nAnd I will brew your ale;\nBut oh, to welcome another woman\nMy heart will nae be hale.\u2019\n62J.16 \u2018Ye will put roses in your hair,\nAnd ribbons in your sheen,\nAnd ye will look fair maiden like,\nThough maiden ye be nane.\u2019\n62J.17 \u2018O I\u2019ll put roses in my hair,\nAnd ribbons in my sheen,\nAnd may be look as maiden-like\nAs the bride ye bring hame.\u2019\n62J.18 Two of his sons he sent before,\nAnd two rade by his side,\nAnd three he left at hame wi her,\nShe was the brightest bride.\n62J.19 As she was gazing her around,\nTo view the rural plain,\nAnd there she saw the bridal folk,\nMerrily coming hame.\n62J.20 \u2018Come here, come here, my boys a\u2019,\nYe see not what I see;\nFor here I see your fair father,\nAnd a step-mother to thee.\n62J.21 \u2018O shall I call him honey, Sandy,\nHusband, or my gude lord?\nOr shall I call him my gude master,\nLet well or woe betide?\u2019\n62J.22 \u2018Ye winna call him honey, mother,\nFor angering o the bride;\nBut ye\u2019ll call him your gude master,\nLet well or woe betide.\u2019\n62J.23 She buskd her bonny boys in black,\nHerself in simple green,\nA kaim o gowd upon her hair,\nAs maiden she had been.\n62J.24 She\u2019s taen the white bread in her lap,\nThe wine glass in her hand,\nAnd she\u2019s gane out upo the green,\nTo welcome the bride hame.\n62J.25 She woudna ca him her ain gude lord,\nFor angering o the bride:\n\u2018Ye\u2019re welcome hame, my gude master,\nYour lands lie braid and wide.\u2019\n62J.26 \u2018O fair mat fa you, Fair Annie,\nSae well\u2019s ye\u2019ve welcomd me;\nYe might hae welcomd my new bride;\nSome gift to you she\u2019ll gie.\u2019\n62J.27 \u2018Ye\u2019re welcome hame, ye new-come bride,\nTo your ha\u2019s and your bowers;\nYe\u2019re welcome hame, my lady gay,\nYe\u2019re whiter that the flowers.\u2019\n62J.28 \u2018O wha is this,\u2019 the bride did say,\n\u2018Sae well that welcomes me?\nIf I\u2019m lang lady o this place\nSome gift to her I\u2019ll gie.\n62J.29 \u2018She\u2019s likest to my dear sister\nThat eer my eyes did see;\nA landit lord staw her awa,\nAn ill death mat he die!\n62J.30 \u2018I hae a brother here this day,\nFairer ye neer did see;\nAnd I woud think nae ill a match\nUnto this fair ladie.\u2019\n62J.31 \u2018Ye\u2019ll wed your brother on a stock,\nSae do ye on a stane;\nI\u2019ll wed me to the kingdom of heaven,\nFor I\u2019ll neer wed a man.\u2019\n62J.32 She servd the footmen o the beer,\nThe nobles o the wine;\nBut nane did cross her pale, pale lips,\nFor changing o her min.\n62J.33 When she came in unto the room\nShe leuch amo them a\u2019,\nBut when she turnd her back about\nShe loot the saut tears fa.\n62J.34 She hanged up a silken cloath\nUpon a siller pin;\nIt was to dry her twa blue eyes,\nAs she went out and in.\n62J.35 Her heart wi sorrow sair was filld,\nHer breast wi milk ran out;\nShe aft went ot a quiet chamber,\nAnd let her young son suck.\n62J.36 \u2018There is a woman in this house\nThis day has served me;\nBut I\u2019ll rise up, let her sit down,\nShe\u2019s ate, that I may see.\n62J.37 \u2018O wha is this,\u2019 the bride coud say,\n\u2018That serves this day sae well?\nAnd what means a\u2019 this bonny boys,\nThat follow at her heel?\u2019\n62J.38 \u2018This is my sister, Fair Annie,\nThat serves this day sae well,\nAnd these are a\u2019 her bauld brothers,\nThat follow at her heel.\u2019\n62J.39 Then out it speaks the new-come bride,\nWas full o jealousie:\n\u2018I fear there\u2019s something new, my lord,\nYe mean to hide frae me.\n62J.40 \u2018But if she be your light leman\nHas me sair beguild,\nShe shall gae out at my window,\nAnd range the woods sae wild.\u2019\n62J.41 When day was dane, and night drew on,\nAnd a\u2019 man bound for bed,\nThe bridegroom and the new-come bride\nIn ae chamber were laid.\n62J.42 The lady being left alone,\nNursing her fair young son,\nShe has taen up her gude lord\u2019s harp,\nShe harped and she sung.\n62J.43 \u2018Seven braw sons hae I born\nTo the lord o this place;\nI wish they were seven hares\nTo run the castle race,\nAnd I mysel a gude greyhound,\nTo gie them a\u2019 a chace.\u2019\n62J.44 \u2018Lie near, lie near, my ain gude lord,\nLie near and speak wi me;\nThere is a woman in the house,\nShe will be wild ere day.\u2019\n62J.45 \u2018Lie still, lie still, my new-come bride,\nLie still and take your rest;\nThe pale\u2019s out o my wine-puncheon,\nAnd lang it winna rest.\u2019\n62J.46 She held the harp still in her hand,\nTo harp them baith asleep,\nAnd aye she harped and she sang,\nAnd saut tears she did weep.\n62J.47 \u2018Seven braw sons hae I born\nTo the gude lord o this ha;\nI wish that they were seven brown rats,\nTo climb the castle wa,\nAnd I mysel a gude grey cat,\nTo take them ane and a\u2019.\u2019\n62J.48 \u2018Lie near, lie near, my ain gude lord,\nLie near and speak wi me;\nThere is a woman in this house,\nShe will be wild ere day.\u2019\n62J.49 \u2018Lie yond, lie yond, my new-come bride,\nMy sheets are wonderous cauld;\nI woudna hear my love\u2019s lament\nFor your gowd ten thousand fauld.\u2019\n62J.50 \u2018O wae be to you, ye fause lord,\nSome ill death mat ye die!\nFor that\u2019s the voice o my sister Ann,\nWas stown frae yont the sea.\u2019\n62J.51 \u2018Fair mat fa ye, ye buirdly bride,\nA gude death mat ye die!\nFor that\u2019s the voice o your sister Ann,\nWas stown frae yont the sea;\nI came seeking Annie\u2019s tocher,\nI was not seeking thee.\u2019\n62J.52 \u2018Seven gude ships I hae brought here,\nIn seven I\u2019se gae hame;\nAnd a\u2019 the gowd that I brought here,\nIt\u2019s a\u2019 gang back again.\u2019\n62J.53 \u2018Seven ships they brought you here,\nBut ye\u2019ll gang hame in ane;\nYe\u2019ll leave the rest to tocher Ann,\nFor wi her I got nane.\u2019\n62J.54 \u2018Seven ships they brought me here,\nBut I\u2019ll gang hame in ane;\nI\u2019ll get my sister\u2019s eldest son\nTo hae me maiden hame.\n62J.55 \u2018My father wants not gowd nor gear,\nHe will get me a man;\nAnd happy, happy will he be\nTo hear o his daughter Ann.\n62J.56 \u2018I hae my sheen upon my feet,\nMy gloves upon my hand,\nAnd ye\u2019ll come to your bed, Annie,\nFor I\u2019ve dane you nae wrang.\u2019","title":"The Child Ballads: 62. Fair Annie","type":"page"}