{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch063.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch063.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch063.htm","text":"Sacred Texts\u00a0\n Legends & Sagas\u00a0\n England\u00a0\n Index\u00a0\n Previous\u00a0\n Next\u00a0\n \n \n \n 63A: Child Waters\n \n \n Percy MS., p. 274; Hales and Furnivall, II, 269.\n \n 63A.1\tCHILDE Watters in his stable stoode,\n And stroaket his milke-white steede;\n To him came a ffaire young ladye\n As ere did weare womans wee<de].\n 63A.2\tSaies, Christ you saue, good Chyld Waters!\n Sayes, Christ you saue and see!\n My girdle of gold, which was too longe,\n Is now to short ffor mee.\n 63A.3\t\u2018And all is with one chyld of yours,\n I ffeele sturre att my side;\n My gowne of greene, it is to strayght;\n Before it was to wide.\u2019\n 63A.4\t\u2018If the child be mine, Faire Ellen,\u2019 he sayd,\n \u2018Be mine, as you tell mee,\n Take you Cheshire and Lancashire both,\n Take them your owne to bee.\n 63A.5\t\u2018If the child be mine, Ffaire Ellen,\u2019 he said,\n \u2018Be mine, as you doe sweare,\n Take you Cheshire and Lancashire both,\n And make that child your heyre.\u2019\n 63A.6\tShee saies, I had rather haue one kisse,\n Child Waters, of thy mouth,\n Then I wold haue Cheshire and Lancashire both,\n that lyes by north and south.\n 63A.7\t\u2018And I had rather haue a twinkling,\n Child Waters, of your eye,\n Then I wold haue Cheshire and Lancashire both,\n To take them mine oune to bee.\u2019\n 63A.8\t\u2018To-morrow, Ellen, I must forth ryde\n Soe ffarr into the north countrye;\n The ffairest lady that I can ffind,\n Ellen, must goe with mee.\u2019\n \u2018And euer I pray you, Child Watters,\n Your ffootpage let me bee!\u2019\n 63A.9\t\u2018If you will my ffootpage be, Ellen,\n As you doe tell itt mee,\n Then you must cutt your gownne of greene\n An inche aboue your knee.\n 63A.10\t\u2018Soe must you doe your yellow lockes,\n Another inch aboue your eye;\n You must tell noe man what is my name;\n My ffootpage then you shall bee.\u2019\n 63A.11\tAll this long day Child Waters rode,\n Shee ran bare ffoote by his side;\n Yett was he neuer soe curteous a knight\n To say, Ellen, will you ryde?\n 63A.12\tBut all this day Child Waters rode,\n Shee ran barffoote thorow the broome;\n Yett he was neuer soe curteous a knight\n As to say, Put on your shoone.\n 63A.13\t\u2018Ride softlye,\u2019 shee said, \u2018Child Watters;\n Why doe you ryde soe ffast?\n The child which is no mans but yours\n My bodye itt will burst.\u2019\n 63A.14\tHe sayes, Sees thou yonder water, Ellen,\n that fflowes from banke to brim?\n \u2018I trust to god, Child Waters,\u2019 shee said,\n \u2018You will neuer see mee swime.\u2019\n 63A.15\tBut when shee came to the waters side,\n Shee sayled to the chinne:\n \u2018Except the lord of heauen be my speed,\n Now must I learne to swime.\u2019\n 63A.16\tThe salt waters bare vp Ellens clothes,\n Our Ladye bare vpp he<r] chinne,\n And Child Waters was a woe man, good Lord,\n To ssee Faire Ellen swime.\n 63A.17\tAnd when shee ouer the water was,\n Shee then came to his knee:\n He said, Come hither, Ffaire Ellen,\n Loe yonder what I see!\n 63A.18\t\u2018Seest thou not yonder hall, Ellen?\n Of redd gold shine the yates;\n There\u2019s four and twenty ffayre ladyes,\n The ffairest is my wordlye make.\n 63A.19\t\u2018Seest thou not yonder hall, Ellen?\n Of redd gold shineth the tower;\n There is four and twenty ffaire ladyes,\n The fairest is my paramoure.\u2019\n 63A.20\t\u2018I doe see the hall now, Child Waters,\n that of redd gold shineth the yates;\n God giue good then of your selfe,\n And of your wordlye make!\n 63A.21\t\u2018I doe see the hall now, Child Waters,\n that of redd gold shineth the yates;\n God giue good then of your selfe,\n And of your paramoure!\u2019\n 63A.22\tThere were four and twenty ladyes,\n Were playing att the ball,\n And Ellen, was the ffairest ladye,\n Must bring his steed to the stall.\n 63A.23\tThere were four and twenty faire ladyes\n Was playing att the chesse;\n And Ellen, shee was the ffairest ladye,\n Must bring his horsse to grasse.\n 63A.24\tAnd then bespake Child Waters sister,\n And these were the words said shee:\n You haue the prettyest ffootpage, brother,\n that euer I saw with mine eye;\n That euer I saw with mine eye;\n 63A.25\t\u2018But that his belly it is soe bigg,\n His girdle goes wonderous hye;\n And euer I pray you, Child Waters,\n Let him goe into the chamber with mee.\u2019\n 63A.26\t\u2018It is more meete for a little ffootpage,\n that has run through mosse and mire,\n To take his supper vpon his knee\n And sitt downe by the kitchin fyer,\n Then to goe into the chamber with any ladye\n That weares soe [rich] attyre.\u2019\n 63A.27\tBut when th?e had supped euery one,\n To bedd they took the way;\n He sayd, Come hither, my little footpage,\n Harken what I doe say.\n 63A.28\tAnd goe thee downe into yonder towne,\n And low into the street;\n The ffairest ladye that thou can find,\n Hyer her in mine armes to sleepe,\n And take her vp in thine armes two,\n For filinge of her ffeete.\n 63A.29\tEllen is gone into the towne,\n And low into the streete;\n The fairest ladye that shee cold find\n Shee hyred in his armes to sleepe,\n And tooke her in her armes two,\n For filing of her ffeete.\n 63A.30\t\u2018I pray you now, good Child Waters,\n that I may creepe in att your bedds feete;\n For there is noe place about this house\n Where I may say a sleepe.\u2019\n 63A.31\tThis [night] and itt droue on affterward\n Till itt was neere the day:\n He sayd, Rise vp, my litle ffoote-page,\n And giue my steed corne and hay;\n And soe doe thou the good blacke oates,\n that he may carry me the better away.\n 63A.32\tAnd vp then rose Ffaire Ellen,\n And gaue his steed corne and hay,\n And soe shee did and the good blacke oates,\n that he might carry him the better away.\n 63A.33\tShee layned her backe to the manger side,\n And greiuouslye did groane;\n And that beheard his mother deere,\n And heard her make her moane.\n 63A.34\tShee said, Rise vp, thou Child Waters,\n I thinke thou art a cursed man;\n For yonder is a ghost in thy stable,\n that greiuouslye doth groane,\n Or else some woman laboures of child,\n Shee is soe woe begone.\n 63A.35\tBut vp then rose Child Waters,\n And did on his shirt of silke;\n Then he put on his other clothes\n On his body as white as milke.\n 63A.36\tAnd when he came to the stable-dore,\n Full still that hee did stand,\n that hee might heare now Faire Ellen,\n That hee might heare now Faire Ellen,\n How shee made her monand.\n 63A.37\tShee said, Lullabye, my owne deere child!\n Lullabye, deere child, deere!\n I wold thy father were a king,\n Thy mother layd on a beere!\n 63A.38\t\u2018Peace now,\u2019 he said, \u2018good Faire Ellen,\n And be of good cheere, I thee pray,\n And the bridall and the churching both,\n They shall bee vpon one day.\u2019\n \n \n \n 63B: Child Waters\n \n \n a. Jamieson\u2019s Brown MS., fol. 22, taken down from Mrs Brown\u2019s recitation before 1783. b. A. Fraser Tytler\u2019s Brown MS., No 9, as recited by Mrs Brown in 1800.\n \n 63B.1\t\u2018I WARN ye all, ye gay ladies,\n That wear scarlet an brown,\n That ye dinna leave your father\u2019s house,\n To follow young men frae town.\u2019\n 63B.2\t\u2018O here am I, a lady gay,\n That wears scarlet an brown,\n Yet I will leave my father\u2019s house,\n An follow Lord John frae the town.\u2019\n 63B.3\tLord John stood in his stable-door,\n Said he was bound to ride;\n Burd Ellen stood in her bowr-door,\n Said she\u2019d rin by his side.\n 63B.4\tHe\u2019s pitten on his cork-heeld shoone,\n An fast awa rade he;\n She\u2019s clade hersel in page array,\n An after him ran she.\n 63B.5\tTill they came till a wan water,\n An folks do ca it clyde;\n Then he\u2019s lookit oer his left shoulder,\n Says, Lady, can ye wide?\n 63B.6\t\u2018O I learnt it i my father house,\n An I learnt it for my weal,\n Wenneer I came to a wan water,\n To swim like ony eel.\u2019\n 63B.7\tBut the firstin stap the lady stappit,\n The water came til her knee;\n \u2018Ohon, alas!\u2019 said the lady,\n \u2018This water\u2019s oer deep for me.\u2019\n 63B.8\tThe nextin stap the lady stappit,\n The water came till her middle;\n An sighin says that gay lady,\n I\u2019ve wat my gouden girdle\n 63B.9\tThe nextin stap the lady stappit,\n The water came till her pap;\n An the bairn that was in her twa sides\n For caul begane to quake.\n 63B.10\t\u2018Lye still, lye still, my ain dear babe,\n Ye work your mither wae;\n Your father rides on high horse-back,\n Cares little for us twae.\u2019\n 63B.11\tO about the midst o Clyden water\n There was a yeard-fast stane;\n He lightly turnd his horse about,\n An tooke her on him behin.\n 63B.12\t\u2018O tell me this now, good Lord John,\n An a word ye dinna lee,\n How far it is to your lodgin,\n Whare we this night maun be?\u2019\n 63B.13\t\u2018O see you nae yon castle, Ellen,\n That shines sae fair to see?\n There is a lady in it, Ellen,\n Will sunder you an me.\n 63B.14\t\u2018There is a lady in that castle\n Will sunder you and I:\u2019\n \u2018Betide me well, betide me wae,\n I sal go there an try.\u2019\n 63B.15\t\u2018O my dogs sal eat the good white bread,\n An ye sal eat the bran;\n Then will ye sigh, an say, alas!\n That ever I was a man!\u2019\n 63B.16\t\u2018O I sal eat the good white bread,\n An your dogs sal eat the bran;\n An I hope to live an bless the day,\n That ever ye was a man.\u2019\n 63B.17\t\u2018O my horse sal eat the good white meal,\n An ye sal eat the corn;\n Then will ye curse the heavy hour\n That ever your love was born.\u2019\n 63B.18\t\u2018O I sal eat the good white meal,\n An your horse sal eat the corn;\n An I ay sall bless the happy hour\n That ever my love was born.\u2019\n 63B.19\tO four an twenty gay ladies\n Welcomd Lord John to the ha,\n But a fairer lady than them a\u2019\n Led his horse to the stable sta.\n 63B.20\tAn four an twenty gay ladies\n Welcomd Lord John to the green,\n But a fairer lady than them a\u2019\n At the manger stood alane.\n 63B.21\tWhan bells were rung, an mass was sung,\n Ar a\u2019 men boun to meat,\n Burd Ellen at a bye-table\n Amo the foot-men was set.\n 63B.22\t\u2018O eat an drink, my bonny boy,\n The white bread an the beer:\u2019\n \u2018The never a bit can I eat or drink,\n My heart\u2019s sae full of fear.\u2019\n 63B.23\t\u2018O eat an drink, my bonny boy,\n The white bread an the wine:\u2019\n \u2018O I canna eat nor drink, master,\n My heart\u2019s sae full of pine.\u2019\n 63B.24\tBut out it spake Lord John\u2019s mother,\n An a wise woman was she:\n \u2018Whare met ye wi that bonny boy,\n That looks sae sad on thee?\n 63B.25\t\u2018Sometimes his cheek is rosy red,\n An sometimes deadly wan;\n He\u2019s liker a woman big wi bairn,\n Than a young lord\u2019s serving man.\u2019\n 63B.26\t\u2018O it makes me laugh, my mother dear,\n Sic words to hear frae thee;\n He is a squire\u2019s ae dearest son,\n That for love has followd me.\n 63B.27\t\u2018Rise up, rise up, my bonny boy,\n Gi my horse corn an hay:\u2019\n \u2018O that I will, my master dear,\n As quickly as I may.\u2019\n 63B.28\tShe\u2019s taen the hay under her arm,\n The corn intill her han,\n An she\u2019s gane to the great stable,\n As fast as eer she can.\n 63B.29\t\u2018O room ye roun, my bonny broun steeds,\n O room ye near the wa;\n For the pain that strikes me thro my sides\n Full soon will gar me fa.\u2019\n 63B.30\tShe\u2019s leand her back against the wa;\n Strong travail seizd her on;\n An even amo the great horse feet\n Burd Ellen brought forth her son.\n 63B.31\tLord John\u2019[s] mither intill her bowr\n Was sitting all alone,\n Whan, i the silence o the night,\n She heard fair Ellen\u2019s moan.\n 63B.32\t\u2018Won up, won up, my son,\u2019 she says,\n \u2018Go se how a\u2019 does fare;\n For I think I hear a woman\u2019s groans,\n An a bairn greeting sair.\u2019\n 63B.33\tO hastily he gat him up,\n Stayd neither for hose nor shoone,\n An he\u2019s doen him to the stable-door,\n Wi the clear light o the moon.\n 63B.34\tHe strack the door hard wi his foot,\n An sae has he wi his knee,\n An iron locks an iron bars\n Into the floor flung he:\n \u2018Be not afraid, Burd Ellen,\u2019 he says,\n \u2018Ther\u2019s nane come in but me.\u2019\n 63B.35\tUp he has taen his bonny young son,\n An gard wash him wi the milk;\n An up has he taen his fair lady,\n Gard row her in the silk.\n 63B.36\t\u2018Cheer up your heart, Burd Ellen,\u2019 he says,\n \u2018Look nae mair sad nor wae;\n For your marriage an your kirkin too\n Sal baith be in ae day.\u2019\n \n \n Child 63C: Child Waters\n \n Kinloch\u2019s annotated copy of his Ancient Scottish Ballads, Kinloch MSS, IV, 180.\n \n 63C.1\t\u2018THE corn is turning ripe, Lord John,\n The nuts are growing fu,\n And ye are bound for your ain countrie,\n Fain wad I go wi you.\u2019\n 63C.2\t\u2018Wi me, Margret, wi me, Margret,\n What wad ye do wi me?\n I\u2019ve mair need o a pretty little boy,\n To wait upon my steed.\u2019\n 63C.3\t\u2018It\u2019s I will be your pretty little boy,\n To wait upon your steed;\n And ilka town that we come to,\n A pack of hounds I\u2019ll lead.\u2019\n 63C.4\t\u2018My hounds will eat o the bread o wheat,\n And ye of the bread of bran;\n And then you will sit and sigh,\n That eer ye loed a man.\u2019\n 63C.5\tThe first water that they cam to,\n I think they call it Clyde,\n He saftly unto her did say,\n Lady Margret, will ye ride?\n 63C.6\tThe first step that she steppit in,\n She steppit to the knee;\n Says, Wae be to ye, waefu water,\n For through ye I maun be.\n 63C.7\tThe second step that she steppit in,\n She steppit to the middle,\n And sighd, and said, Lady Margret,\n \u2018I\u2019ve staind my gowden girdle.\u2019\n 63C.8\tThe third step that she steppit in,\n She steppit to the neck;\n The pretty babe within her sides,\n The cauld it garrd it squake.\n 63C.9\t\u2018Lie still my babe, lie still my babe,\n Lie still as lang\u2019s ye may,\n For your father rides on horseback high,\n Cares little for us twae.\u2019\n 63C.10\tIt\u2019s whan she cam to the other side,\n She sat doun on a stane;\n Says, Them that made me, help me now,\n For I am far frae hame.\n 63C.11\t\u2018How far is it frae your mither\u2019s bouer,\n Gude Lord John tell to me?\u2019\n \u2018It\u2019s therty miles, Lady Margaret,\n It\u2019s therty miles and three:\n And yese be wed to ane o her serving men,\n For yese get na mair o me.\u2019\n 63C.12\tThen up bespak the wylie parrot,\n As it sat on the tree,\n \u2018Ye lee, ye lee, Lord John,\u2019 it said,\n \u2018Sae loud as I hear ye lee.\n 63C.13\t\u2018Ye say it\u2019s therty miles frae your mither\u2019s bouer,\n Whan it\u2019s but barely three;\n And she\u2019ll neer be wed to a serving man,\n For she\u2019ll be your ain ladie.\u2019\n 63C.14\t[\u2018O dinna ye see yon bonnie castle,\n Lies on yon sunny lea?\n And yese get ane o my mither\u2019s men,\n For yese get na mair o me.\u2019]\n 63C.15\t[\u2018We\u2019ll see I yon bonnie castle,\n Lies on yon sunny lea,\n But Ise neer hae nane o your mither\u2019s men,\n Tho I never gat mair o thee.\u2019]\n 63C.16\t[Whan he cam to the porter\u2019s yett\n He tirled at the pin,\n And wha sae ready as the bauld porter\n To open and lat him in.]\n 63C.17\tMonie a lord and fair ladie\n Met Lord John in the closs,\n But the bonniest face amang them a\u2019\n Was hauding Lord John\u2019s horse.\n 63C.18\t[Monie a lord and lady bricht\n Met Lord John on the green,\n But the bonniest boy amang them a\u2019\n Was standing by, him leen.]\n 63C.19\tMonie a lord and gay ladie\n Sat dining in the ha,\n But the bonniest face that was there\n Was waiting on them a\u2019.\n 63C.20\tO up bespak Lord John\u2019s sister,\n A sweet young maid was she:\n \u2018My brither has brought a bonnie young page,\n His like I neer did see;\n But the red flits fast frae his cheek,\n And the tear stands in his ee.\u2019\n 63C.21\tBut up bespak Lord John\u2019s mither,\n She spak wi meikle scorn:\n \u2018He\u2019s liker a woman gret wi bairn,\n Than onie waiting-man.\u2019\n 63C.22\t\u2018It\u2019s ye\u2019ll rise up, my bonnie boy,\n And gie my steed the hay:\u2019\n \u2018O that I will, my dear master,\n As fast as I can gae.\u2019\n 63C.23\tShe took the hay aneath her arm,\n The corn intil her hand,\n But atween the stable-door and the staw,\n Lady Margret made a stand.\n 63C.24\t[Whan bells were rung, and mass was sung,\n And a\u2019 men boun for bed,\n Lord John, mither, and sister gay\n In ae bour they were laid.]\n 63C.25\t[Lord John had na weel gat aff his claise,\n Nor was he weel laid doun,\n Till his mither heard a bairn greet,\n And a woman\u2019s heavy moan.]\n 63C.26\t[\u2018Win up, win up, Lord John,\u2019 she said,\n \u2018Seek neither hose nor shoon;\n For I\u2019ve heard a bairn loud greet,\n And a woman\u2019s heavy moan.\u2019]\n 63C.27\t[Lord John raise, put on his claise,\n Sought neither hose nor shoon,\n Atween the ha and the stable-door\n He made na a step but ane.]\n 63C.28\t\u2018O open the door, Lady Margaret,\n O open and let me in;\n I want to see if my steed be fed,\n Or my grey-hounds fit to rin.\u2019\n 63C.29\t\u2018I\u2019ll na open the door, Lord John,\u2019 she said,\n \u2018I\u2019ll na open it to thee,\n Till ye grant to me my ae request,\n And a puir ane it\u2019s to me.\n 63C.30\t\u2018Ye\u2019ll gie to me a bed in an outhouse,\n For my young son and me,\n And the meanest servant in a\u2019 the place,\n To wait on him and me.\u2019\n 63C.31\t[He\u2019s tane the door wi his fit,\n And he keppd it wi his knee,\n He made the door o double deals\n In splinders soon to flee.]\n 63C.32\t[\u2018An askin, an askin, grant me, Lord John,\n An askin ye\u2019ll grant me;\n The meanest maid about the place\n To bring a glass o water to me.\u2019]\n 63C.33\t\u2018I grant, I grant, Lady Margret,\u2019 he said,\n \u2018A\u2019 that, and mair frae me,\n The very best bed in a\u2019 the place\n To your young son and thee,\n And my mither, and my sister dear,\n To wait on him and thee.\n 63C.34\t\u2018And a\u2019 thae lands, and a\u2019 thae rents,\n They shall be his and thine;\n Our wedding and our kirking day,\n They sall be all in ane.\u2019\n 63C.35\tAnd he has tane Lady Margaret,\n And rowd her in the silk,\n And he has tane his ain young son,\n And washd him in the milk.\n \n \n \n \n 63D: Child Waters\n \n \n 63D.24.\t* * * *\n Lord John rose, put on his clothes,\n Sought neither stockens nor shoon,\n An between the ha and the stable\n He made not a step but one.\n 63D.25\t\u2018O open, open, to me, Burd Ellen,\n O open an let me in:\u2019\n \u2018O yes, O yes, will I, Lord John,\n But not till I can win;\n O yes, will I, Lord John,\u2019 she says,\n \u2018But I\u2019m lyin wi your young son.\u2019\n 63D.26\tHe\u2019s taen the door wi his foot,\n An he kepped it wi his knee;\n He made the door of double deals\n In splinders soon to flee.\n 63D.27\t\u2018An askin ye\u2019ll grant me, Lord John,\n An askin ye\u2019ll grant me;\n May the meanest maid about the place\n Bring a glass o water to me?\u2019\n 63D.28\t\u2018O hold your tongue, Burd Ellen,\u2019 he said,\n \u2018Lat a\u2019 your askins be;\n For the best maid about the house\n Shall bring a glass o wine to thee.\n 63D.29\t\u2018An the best bed about it a\u2019,\n For my young son an thee;\n My mother and my ae sister\n Sal bear you company.\n 63D.30\t\u2018Your marriage an your kirkin day\n They sal be both in ane,\n An a\u2019 these ha\u2019s an bowers, Burd Ellen,\n They sal be yours an mine.\u2019\n \n \n \n 63E: Child Waters\n \n \n 63E.1\t\u2018I BEG you bide at hame, Margaret,\n An sew your silken seam;\n If ye waur in the wide Hielands,\n Ye wald be owre far frae hame.\u2019\n 63E.2\t\u2018I winna bide a hame,\u2019 she said,\n \u2018Nor sew my silken seam;\n For if I waur in the wide Hielands,\n I wald no be owre far frae hame.\u2019\n 63E.3\t\u2018My steed sall drink the blude-red wine,\n An you the water wan;\n I\u2019ll mak you sigh, an say, alace,\n That ever I loed a man!\u2019\n 63E.4\t\u2018Though your steed does drink the blude-red wine,\n An me the water wan,\n Yet will I sing, an merry be,\n That ever I loed a man.\u2019\n 63E.5\t\u2018My hounds shall eat the bread o wheat,\n An you the bread o bran;\n I\u2019ll mak you sigh, an say, alace,\n That ever you loed Lord John!\u2019\n 63E.6\t\u2018Though your hounds do eat the bread o wheat,\n An me the bread o bran,\n Yet will I sing, an merrie be,\n That ever I loed Lord John.\u2019\n 63E.7\tHe turned aboot his high horse head,\n An awa he was boun to ride;\n She kilted up her green clieden,\n An after him she gaed.\n 63E.8\tWhan they cam to that water\n Whilk a\u2019 man ca the Clyde,\n He turned aboot his high horse head,\n Said, Ladie, will you ride?\n 63E.9\t\u2018I learnt it in my mother\u2019s bour,\n I wish I had learnt it weel,\n That I could swim this wan water\n As weel as fish or eel.\u2019\n 63E.10\tWhan at the middle o that water,\n She sat doon on a stone;\n He turned aboot his high horse head,\n Says, Ladie, will ye loup on?\n 63E.11\t\u2018I learnt in my mother\u2019s bour,\n I wish I had learnt it better,\n That I culd swim this wan water\n As weel as eel or otter.\u2019\n 63E.12\tHe has taen the narrow ford,\n An she has taen the wide;\n Lang, lang ere he was at the middle,\n She was sittin at the ither side.\n 63E.13\t. . . . .\n . . . . .\n Wi sighen said that Fair Margaret,\n Alace, I\u2019m far frae hame!\n 63E.14\t\u2018Hoo mony miles is\u2019t to your castle?\n Noo Lord John, tell to me;\u2019\n \u2018Hoo mony miles is\u2019t to my castle?\n It\u2019s thirty miles an three:\u2019\n Wi sighen said that Fair Margaret,\n It\u2019ll never be gane by me!\n 63E.15\tBut up it spak the wily bird,\n As it sat on the tree,\n \u2018Rin on, rin on noo, Fair Margaret,\n It scarcely miles is three.\u2019\n 63E.16\tWhan they cam to the wide Hielands,\n An lichted on the green,\n Every an spak Erse to anither,\n But Margaret she spak nane.\n 63E.17\tWhan they waur at table set,\n An birlin at the best,\n Margaret set at a bye-table,\n An fain she wald hain rest.\n 63E.18\t\u2018Oh mither, mither, mak my bed\n Wi clean blankets an sheets,\n An lay my futeboy at my feet,\n The sounder I may sleep.\u2019\n 63E.19\tShe has made Lord John his bed,\n Wi clean blankets an sheets,\n An laid his futeboy at his feet,\n But neer a wink culd he sleep.\n 63E.20\t\u2018Win up, win up noo, Fair Margaret,\n An see that my steed has meat;\n See that his corn is in his travisse,\n Nor lyin amang his feet.\u2019\n 63E.21\tSlowly, slowly rase she up,\n An slowly put she on,\n An slowly gaed she doon the stair,\n Aye makin a heavy moan.\n * * * * *\n 63E.22\t\u2018An asken, an asken, gude Lord John,\n I pray you grant it me;\n For the warst bed in a\u2019 your hoose,\n To your young son an me.\u2019\n 63E.23\t\u2018Your asken is but sma, Margaret,\n Sune grantet it shall be;\n For the best bed in a\u2019 my hoose\n Is owre little for thee.\u2019\n 63E.24\t\u2018An asken, an asken, gude Lord John,\n I pray you grant it me;\n For the warst ale in a\u2019 your hoose,\n That ye wald gie to me.\u2019\n 63E.25\t\u2018Your asken is but sma, Margaret,\n Sune grantet it sall be;\n For the best wine in a\u2019 my hoose\n Is owre little for thee.\n 63E.26\t\u2018But cheer up your heart noo, Fair Margaret,\n For, be it as it may,\n Your kirken an your fair weddin\n Sall baith be on one day.\u2019\n \n \n \n 63F: Child Waters\n \n \n 63F.1\tLORD THOMAS stands in his stable-door,\n Seeing his steeds kaimd down;\n Lady Ellen sits at her bower-door,\n Sewing her silver seam.\n 63F.2\t\u2018O will ye stay at hame, Ellen,\n And sew your silver seam?\n Or will ye to the rank highlands?\n For my lands lay far frae hame.\u2019\n 63F.3\t\u2018I winna stay at hame, Lord Thomas,\n And sew my silver seam;\n But I\u2019ll gae to the rank highlands,\n Tho your lands lay far frae hame.\u2019\n * * * * *\n 63F.4\t\u2018An asking, an asking, Lord Thomas,\n I pray thee grant it me;\n How many miles into your fair tower,\n And house where you would be?\u2019\n 63F.5\t\u2018Your asking fair, lady Ellen,\u2019 he says,\n \u2018Shall now be granted thee;\n For to my castle where it stands\n Is thirty miles and three:\u2019\n \u2018O wae is me,\u2019 says Lady Ellen,\n \u2018It will never be run by me.\u2019\n 63F.6\tBut up and spak the wily pyot,\n That sat upon the tree:\n \u2018Sae loud, sae loud, ye fause, fause knight,\n Sae loud as I hear you lie!\n 63F.7\t\u2018For to your dwelling-house,\u2019 it says,\n \u2018Of miles it\u2019s scantly three:\u2019\n \u2018O weel is me,\u2019 says Lady Ellen;\n \u2018It shall be run by me.\u2019\n * * * * *\n 63F.8\t\u2018O mither, mither, mak my bed,\n And mak it braid and wide,\n And lay my little page at my feet,\n Whatever may betide.\u2019\n * * * * *\n 63F.9\t\u2018An asking, an asking, Lord Thomas,\n I pray thee grant it me;\n O grant me a cup of cold water,\n Between my young son and me.\u2019\n 63F.10\t\u2018What you do ask, Lady Ellen,\n Shall soon be granted thee;\n The best bread and the best wine,\n Between my young son and thee.\u2019\n 63F.11\t\u2018I ask again, my good Lord Thomas,\n I ask again of thee;\n The poorest cot-house in your land,\n Between my young son and me.\u2019\n 63F.12\t\u2018Your asking now, dear Lady Ellen,\n I quickly grant to thee;\n The best bower about my tower,\n Between my young son and thee.\u2019\n \n \n \n 63G: Child Waters\n \n \n 63G.1\tTHE knight he stands in stable-door,\n Says he, I will go ride;\n The lady\u2019s kilted her gay cloathing,\n And ran low by his side.\n 63G.2\tHe has ridden, and she has run,\n Till they came to yon water wan;\n He has ridden, and she has run,\n Like to his waiting man.\n 63G.3\tHe has ridden, and she has run,\n Till they came on to Clyde;\n The knight he rode on high horseback,\n But the lady she bot wide.\n 63G.4\tThe first step that the lady stepped,\n She stept into the knee;\n The bairn that was between her sides\n There he gied spartles three.\n 63G.5\t\u2018Lie still, lie still, my bonny boy,\n Ye work your mother woe;\n Your father rides on high horseback,\n Cares little for us two.\u2019\n 63G.6\tThe nextand step that lady stepped,\n She stept into the pap;\n The bairn that was between her sides\n There spartled and he lap.\n 63G.7\t\u2018Ly still, ly still, my bonny boy,\n You work your mother\u2019s woe;\n Your father rides on high horseback,\n Cares little for us two.\u2019\n 63G.8\tIn the middle of that water\n There stands a yird-fast stone;\n He turnd his horse head back again,\n Said, Lady, loup ye on.\n 63G.9\tShe hadna ridden a mile, a mile,\n O never a mile but ane,\n Till she grew sick, and so weary\n She couldna ride nor gang.\n 63G.10\t\u2018Ride on, ride on, my gay lady,\n You see not what I see;\n For yonder is my father\u2019s castle,\n A little beyond the lee,\n And ye\u2019ll get ane of my father\u2019s men,\n But, lady, neer lippen on me.\u2019\n 63G.11\tThere were four and twenty bonny ladies\n Led Willie frae bower to ha,\n But the bonniest lady among them a\u2019\n Led his steed to the sta.\n 63G.12\tWhen they were at the table set,\n And sitting at their dine,\n Out it spake his mother dear,\n And she spake aye in time.\n 63G.13\t\u2018Sometimes your boy\u2019s red, Willie,\n And other times he\u2019s wan;\n He looks like a woman wi bairn,\n But no ways like a man.\u2019\n 63G.14\t\u2018Win up, win up, my bonny boy,\n Go look your master\u2019s steed;\n See that his meat be at his head,\n And not among his feet.\u2019\n 63G.15\tO healy, healy raise she up,\n And healy gaed she down,\n And healy opend the stable-door,\n And as healy gaed she in,\n And even among that big horse feet\n She bear her dear young son.\n 63G.16\tAs Willie\u2019s mother was walking alone,\n Between the bower and ha,\n She thought she heard a bairn\u2019s greet\n And lady\u2019s moan in the sta.\n 63G.17\t\u2018Gude make ye safe, my ae son Willie,\n Gude keep ye safe frae harm;\n Ye might hae chosen a lighter foot-boy\n Than a women in travilling.\u2019\n 63G.18\tHe hit the table wi his foot,\n He kept it wi his knee,\n Till silver cups and silver spoons\n Into the floor did flee.\n 63G.19\tThere was fifteen steps into that stair,\n I wat he made them a\u2019 but three;\n He\u2019s to the stable gane in haste,\n And a\u2019 to see his gay lady.\n 63G.20\t\u2018I am not come o sic low kin,\n Nor yet sic low degree,\n That you needed to banish me frae your sight,\n That ye left nae woman wi me.\u2019\n 63G.21\t\u2018I wish I\u2019d drunken the wan water\n When I did drink the wine,\n Or when I left my lady gay,\n And her at sic a time.\n 63G.22\t\u2018But up ye\u2019ll take my dear young son,\n And wash him wi the milk,\n And up ye\u2019ll take my lady gay\n And row her in the silk;\n For her kirking and her fair wedding\n Shall baith stand in ae day.\u2019\n \n \n \n 63H: Child Waters\n \n \n 63H.1\t* * * *\n \u2018TURN back, turn back, O Burd Alone,\n For the water\u2019s both broad and long:\u2019\n First she went into the shoulders,\n And sine unto the chin.\n 63H.2\t\u2018How far is it to your hall, Lord John?\n How far is it? I pray of thee:\u2019\n \u2018The nearest way unto my hall\n Is thirty miles and three.\n 63H.3\t\u2018Turn back, turn back, O Burd Alone,\n Ye\u2019ll sink before ye win owre:\u2019\n \u2018I am too big with bairn,\u2019 she says,\n \u2018To sink or I win owre.\u2019\n 63H.4\t\u2018Turn back, turn back, O Burd Alone,\n Turn back, I pray of thee;\n For I\u2019ve got a wife and seven bairns,\n I like far better than thee.\u2019\n 63H.5\tAnd then spak a wild parrot,\n Sat high upon the tree:\n \u2018Gang on, gang on, O Burd Alone,\n [He likes nane better nor thee.]\n 63H.6\t\u2018For Lord John has neither wife nor bairns,\n He likes better than thee,\n And the nearest way to Lord John\u2019s hall\n Is only short miles three.\u2019\n 63H.7\tWhen she was come to Lord John\u2019s hall,\n Lords, knights and ladies braw\n Was there to welcome them hame;\n But the bravest in the ha,\n She waited at Lord John\u2019s back,\n Serving the tables a\u2019.\n 63H.8\tWhen she was laid into her bed,\n Amang the servants a\u2019 ilk ane,\n The mother heard a babie greet,\n And a lady make a heavy maen.\n 63H.9\t\u2018Rise up, rise up, Lord John,\u2019 she said,\n \u2018Bind on thy hose and shoon;\n Thow might hae got some other lady\n Then a lady big wi bairn.\u2019\n 63H.10\tLord John awa to the hay-loft,\n Where his lady lay;\n \u2018O rise, O rise, my love,\u2019 he says,\n \u2018O rise and let me in;\n It\u2019s I have got no loves without,\n But I\u2019ve got one within.\u2019\n 63H.11\t\u2018I ask three favours of you, Lord John,\n I ask three favours of thee;\n I ask a bottle of your sma, sma beer,\n For your old son and me.\u2019\n 63H.12\t\u2018O rise, O rise, my love,\u2019 he says,\n \u2018O rise and let me in;\n My wine and gin is at your command,\n And that of my old son.\u2019\n 63H.13\t\u2018The next favour I ask of you, Lord John,\n The next favour I ask of thee,\n Is the meanest room in all your house,\n For your young son and me.\n 63H.14\t\u2018The next favour I ask of you, Lord John,\n The next favour I ask of thee,\n Is the meanest maid in a\u2019 your house,\n To wait on your yong son and me.\u2019\n 63H.15\t\u2018O rise, O rise, my love,\u2019 he says,\n \u2018O rise and let me in;\n For thy bridal and thy banquet day\n Shall both be held in ane.\u2019\n \n \n \n 63I: Child Waters\n \n \n 63I.1\tLORD JOHN stands in his stable-door,\n Just on his way to ride;\n Lady Ellen stands in her bower-door,\n Says, Bide, Lord John, abide!\n * * * * *\n 63I.2\tHe did ride, and she did run,\n A lief-lang simmer\u2019s day,\n Until they came till a wan water,\n That a\u2019 man did ca Tay.\n 63I.3\tThe first step that she steppit in,\n She steppit tae the cweet;\n An sichan said that gay lady,\n I fear this water\u2019s deep!\n 63I.4\tThe next step that she steppit in,\n She steppit tae the knee;\n An sichan said that gay lady,\n This water\u2019s deep for me!\n 63I.5\tLord John hield down his high horse head,\n Said, Lady, will ye ride?\n \u2018O no! O no! kind sir,\u2019 she said,\n \u2018I\u2019ll rather choose tae wide.\u2019\n 63I.6\tThe next step that she steppit in,\n She steppit tae the chin;\n An sichan said that gay lady,\n I\u2019ll wide nae farrer in.\n 63I.7\tThe firsten town that they cam till,\n She got a leash o huns tae lead,\n . . . . .\n . . . . .\n * * * * *\n 63I.8\tWhen bells were rung, and mass was sung,\n An a\u2019 was ready tae dine,\n . . . . .\n . . . . .\n 63I.9\tWhen bells were rung, and mass was sung,\n An a\u2019 were bound for bed,\n . . . . .\n . . . . .\n \n \n \n 63J: Child Waters\n \n \n 63J.1\tTHE knight stands in his stable-door,\n Says he, I will gae ride;\n A lady stands in her bower-door,\n Says, I\u2019ll ride by your side.\n 63J.2\t\u2018Ye shall not follow me, Burd Helen,\n Except ye do this deed;\n That is, to saddle to me my horse,\n And bridle to me my steed,\n And every town that ye come to,\n A liesh o hounds to lead.\u2019\n 63J.3\t\u2018I will saddle to you your horse,\n Sae will I bridle your steed;\n And every town that we come to,\n A liesh o hounds I\u2019ll lead.\u2019\n 63J.4\tTake warning a\u2019, ye maidens fair,\n That wear scarlet and brown;\n In virtue leave your lammas beds,\n To follow knights frae town.\n 63J.5\t\u2018My dogs shall eat the white bread, Helen,\n And you the dust and bran;\n And you will sigh, and say, alas!\n That eer our loves began.\u2019\n 63J.6\t\u2018Your dogs may eat the gude white bread,\n And I the dust and bran;\n Yet will I sing, and say, well\u2019s me,\n That eer our loves began.\u2019\n 63J.7\t\u2018My horse shall drink the gude red wine,\n And you the water wan;\n And then you\u2019ll sigh, and say, alas!\n That eer our loves began.\u2019\n 63J.8\t\u2018Your horse may drink the gude red wine,\n And I the water wan;\n But yet I\u2019ll sing, and say, well\u2019s me,\n That eer our loves began.\u2019\n 63J.9\tThen Willie lap on his white steed,\n And straight awa did ride;\n Burd Helen, drest in men\u2019s array,\n She walked by his side.\n 63J.10\tBut he was neer sae lack a knight\n As ance woud bid her ride,\n And she was neer sae mean a may\n As ance woud bid him bide.\n 63J.11\tSweet Willie rade, Burd Helen ran,\n A livelang summer\u2019s tide,\n Until she came to wan water,\n For a\u2019 men ca\u2019s it Clyde.\n 63J.12\tThe first an step that she wade in,\n She wadit to the knee;\n \u2018Ohon, alas!\u2019 said that fair maid,\n \u2018This water\u2019s nae for me!\u2019\n 63J.13\tThe next an step that she wade in,\n She wadit to the pap;\n The babe within her sides twa,\n Cauld water gart it quack.\n 63J.14\t\u2018Lie still, lie still, my bonny bairn,\n For a\u2019 this winna dee;\n Your father rides on high horseback,\n Minds neither you nor me.\u2019\n 63J.15\tIn the midst of Clyde\u2019s water,\n There stands a yird-fast stone;\n There he leant him ower his saddle-bow,\n And set that lady on,\n And brought her to the other side,\n Then set her down again.\n 63J.16\t\u2018O see ye not yon goodly towers,\n And gowd towers stand sae hie?\n There is a lady in yonder bower\n Will sinder you and me.\u2019\n 63J.17\t\u2018I wish nae ill to your lady,\n She neer wishd nane to me;\n But I wish the maid maist o your love\n That drees far mair for thee.\n 63J.18\t\u2018I wish nae ill to your lady,\n She neer comes in my thought;\n But I wish the maid maist o your love\n That dearest hae you bought.\u2019\n 63J.19\tFour an twenty gay ladies\n Led Willie thro bower and ha;\n But the fairest lady amo them a\u2019\n Led his horse to the sta.\n 63J.20\tFour an twenty gay ladies\n Were a\u2019 at dinner set;\n Burd Helen sat at a by-table,\n A bit she coudna eat.\n 63J.21\tOut it spake her Dow Isbel,\n A skilly dame was she:\n \u2018O whare got ye this fine foot-page\n Ye\u2019ve brought alang wi thee?\n 63J.22\t\u2018Sometimes his colour waxes red,\n Sometimes it waxes wan;\n He is liker a woman big wi bairn\n Nor be a waiting man.\u2019\n 63J.23\t\u2018Win up, win up, my boy,\u2019 he says,\n \u2018At my bidding to be,\n And gang and supper my gude steed,\n See he be litterd tee.\u2019\n 63J.24\tThen she is into stable gane,\n Shut tee the door wi a pin,\n And even amang Willie\u2019s horse feet\n Brought hame her bonny young son.\n 63J.25\tWhen day was gane, and night was come,\n And a\u2019 man bound for bed,\n Sweet Willie and Dow Isbel\n In ae chamber were laid.\n 63J.26\tThey hadna been well lien down,\n Nor yet well faen asleep,\n Till up it wakens Sweet Willie,\n And stood at Dow Isbel\u2019s feet.\n 63J.27\t\u2018I dreamd a dreary dream this night,\n I wish it may be for guid;\n Some rogue hae broke my stable-door,\n And stown awa my steed.\n 63J.28\t\u2018Win up, win up now, Dow Isbel,\n At my bidding to be,\n And ye\u2019ll gae to my stable-door,\n See that be true or lie.\u2019\n 63J.29\tWhen she gaed to the stable-door,\n She heard a grievous groan;\n She thought she heard a bairn greet,\n But and a woman\u2019s moan.\n 63J.30\t\u2018When I was in my bigly bower,\n I wore but what I would;\n This night I\u2019m lighter \u2019mang Willie\u2019s horse feet,\n I fear I\u2019ll die for cold.\n 63J.31\t\u2018When I was in my bigly bower,\n I wore gold to my tae;\n This night I\u2019m lighter mang Willie\u2019s horse feet,\n And fear I\u2019ll die or day.\n 63J.32\t\u2018When I was in my bigly bower,\n I wore scarlet and green;\n This night I\u2019m lighter mang Willie\u2019s horse feet,\n And fear I\u2019ll die my lane.\u2019\n 63J.33\tDow Isbel now came tripping hame,\n As fast as gang coud she;\n \u2018I thought your page was not a man,\n Ye brought alang wi thee.\n 63J.34\t\u2018As I gaed to your stable, Willie,\n I heard a grievous groan;\n I thought I heard a bairn greet,\n But and a woman\u2019s moan.\n 63J.35\t\u2018She said, when in her bigly bower,\n She wore but what she would;\n But this night is lighter mang your horse feet,\n And fears she\u2019ll die for cold.\n 63J.36\t\u2018She said, when in her bigly bower,\n She wore gold to her tae;\n But this night is lighter mang your horse feet,\n And fears she\u2019ll die or day.\n 63J.37\t\u2018Win up, win up, now Sweet Willie,\n At my bidding to be,\n And speak some comfort to the maid,\n That\u2019s dreed sae much for thee.\u2019\n 63J.38\tHe is to the stable door gane,\n As fast as gang coud he;\n \u2018O open, O open, Burd Helen,\u2019 he says,\n \u2018Ye\u2019ll open the door to me.\u2019\n 63J.39\t\u2018That was never my mother\u2019s custom,\n And hope it\u2019s never be mine,\n A knight into her companie,\n When she drees a\u2019 her pine.\u2019\n 63J.40\t\u2018O open the door, Burd Helen,\u2019 he says,\n \u2018O open the door to me;\n For as my sword hangs by my gair,\n I\u2019ll gar it gang in three.\u2019\n 63J.41\t\u2018How can I open, how shall I open,\n How can I open to thee,\n When lying amang your great steed\u2019s feet,\n Your young son on my knee?\u2019\n 63J.42\tHe hit the door then wi his foot,\n Sae did he wi his knee,\n Till doors o deal, and locks o steel,\n In splinders gart he flee.\n 63J.43\t\u2018An asking, asking, Sweet Willie,\n An asking ye\u2019ll grant me;\n The warst in bower in a\u2019 your towers,\n For thy young son and me.\u2019\n 63J.44\t\u2018Your asking\u2019s nae sae great, Burd Helen,\n But granted it shall be;\n The best in bower in a\u2019 my towers,\n For my young son and thee.\u2019\n 63J.45\t\u2018An asking, asking, sweet Willie,\n An asking ye\u2019ll grant me;\n The warst an woman about your bowers,\n To wait on him and me.\u2019\n 63J.46\t\u2018The best an woman about my bowers,\n To wait on him and thee,\n And that\u2019s my sister Dow Isbel,\n And a gude woman is she.\n 63J.47\t\u2018Ye will take up my little young son,\n And wash him wi the milk;\n And ye\u2019ll take up my gay lady,\n And row her in the silk.\n 63J.48\t\u2018Be favourable to my lady,\n Be favourable, if ye may;\n Her kirking and her fair wedding\n Shall baith stand on ae day.\n 63J.49\t\u2018There is not here a woman living\n But her shall be my bride,\n And all is for the fair speeches\n I got frae her at Clyde.\u2019\n \n \n \n 63[K]: Child Waters\n \n \n 63[K].1\tWillie was a harper guid,\n He was a harper fine;\n He harped the burds out of the tree,\n The fish out of the flood,\n The milk out of a woman\u2019s brist\n That bab had never nean.\n 63[K.2]\tHe harped out, an he harped in,\n Till he harped them a\u2019 aslep,\n Unless it was her Fair Elen,\n An she stood on her feett.\n 63[K.3]\tWillie stod in stabile dor,\n He said he wad ride,\n . . . . . .\n . . . . .\n 63[K.4]\t\u2018Na women mane gae we me, Hellen,\n Na women mane gaie we me\n Bat them that will saddle my hors,\n An bridell my steed,\n An elky toun that I come to\n A lish of hons mane lead.\u2019\n 63[K.5]\t\u2018I will saddle yer hors, Willie,\n An I will bridel yer steed,\n An elky toun att we come tell\n A leash of honds will lead.\u2019\n 63[K.6]\t\u2018The dogs sall eat the gued fite bread,\n An ye the dou pran,\n An ye sall bliss, an na curse,\n That ever ye lied a man.\u2019\n 63[K.7]\t\u2018The dogs sall eat the whit bread,\n An me the dou pran,\n An I will bliss, an na curs,\n That ear I loved a man.\u2019\n 63[K.8]\tShe has saddled his hors,\n An she has bridled his stead,\n An ealky toun att they came throu\n A lish of honds did lead.\n 63[K.9]\tThe dogs did eatt the whit bread,\n An her the douey pran,\n An she did bliss, an she did na curs,\n That ever she loyed a man.\n 63[K.10]\tFan they came to yon wan water\n That a\u2019 man caas Clayd,\n He louked over his left shoder,\n Says, Ellen, will ye ride?\n 63[K.11]\t\u2018I learned it in my medder\u2019s bour,\n I wiss I had learned it better,\n Fan I came to wane water\n To sume as dos the otter.\n 63[K.12]\t\u2018I learned in my midder\u2019s bour,\n I watt I learned it well,\n Fan I came to wan water,\n To sume as dos the ell.\u2019\n 63[K.13]\t. . . . . . . .\n . . . . . . . .\n Or the knight was in the middell of the water,\n The lady was in the eather side.\n 63[K.14]\tShe leaned her back to a stane,\n Gaa a call opon:\n \u2018O my back is right sore,\n An I sae farr frae hame!\n 63[K.15]\t\u2018Hou monny mill ha ye to rid,\n An hou mony I to rine?\u2019\n \u2018Fifty mill ha I to rid,\n Fifty you to rine,\n An by that time I dou supos\n Ye will be a dead woman.\u2019\n 63[K.16]\tOut spak a bonny burd,\n Sate on yon tree,\n \u2018Gaa on, fair Ellen,\n Ye ha scarcly milles three.\u2019\n 63[K.17]\tFour-an-tuenty bony ladys\n Mett Willie in the closs,\n Bat the fairest lady among them a\u2019\n Took Willie frae his horse.\n 63[K.18]\tFour-an-trenty bonny ladys\n Lead Willie to the table,\n Bat the fairest lady among them a\u2019\n Led his hors to the stable.\n 63[K.19]\tShe leaned betuen the gray folle an the waa,\n An gae a call opon;\n \u2018O my back is fue sore,\n An I sae far fra home!\n 63[K.20]\t\u2018Fan I was in my father\u2019s bour,\n I ware goud to my hell;\n Bat nou I am among Willie\u2019s hors feet,\n An the call it will me kell.\n 63[K.21]\t\u2018Fan I was in my midder\u2019s bour\n I wear goud to my head;\n Bat nou I am among Willie\u2019s hors feet,\n And the calle will be my dead.\u2019\n 63[K.22]\t\u2018Fatten a heavey horse-boy, my son Willie,\n Is this ye ha brought to me?\n Some times he grous read, read,\n An some times paill an wane;\n He louks just leak a woman we bairn,\n An no weis es leak a man.\u2019\n 63[K.23]\t\u2018Gett up, my heavey hors-boy,\n Gie my hors corn an hay;\u2019\n \u2018By my soth,\u2019 says her Fair Ellen,\n \u2018Bat as fast as I may.\u2019\n 63[K.24]\t\u2018I dreamed a dream san the straine,\n Gued read a\u2019 dreams to gued!\n I dreamed my stable-dor was opned\n An stoun was my best steed.\n Ye gae, my sister,\n An see if the dream be gued.\u2019\n 63[K.25]\t. . . . . . .\n . . . . . . .\n She thought she hard a baby greet,\n Bat an a lady mone.\n 63[K.26]\t. . . . . . .\n . . . . . . .\n \u2018I think I hard a baby greet,\n Bat an a lady mone.\u2019\n 63[K.27]\t\u2018A askend, Wikllie,\u2019 she says,\n \u2018An ye man grant it me;\n The warst room in a\u2019 yer house\n To your young son an me.\u2019\n 63[K.28]\t[\u2018Ask on, Fair Ellen,\n Ye\u2019r sure yer asken is free;]\n The best room in a\u2019 my house\n To yer young son an ye.\u2019\n 63[K.29]\t\u2018[A] asken, Willie,\u2019 she sayes,\n \u2018An ye will grant it me;\n The smallest bear in yer house\n To [yer] young son an me.\u2019\n 63[K.30]\t\u2018Ask on, Fair Ellen,\n Ye\u2019r sure your asken is free;\n The best bear in my house\n [To yer young son an ye.]\n 63[K.31]\t\u2018The best bear in my house\n Is the black bear an the wine,\n An ye sall haa that, Fair Ellen,\n To you an yer young son.\u2019\n 63[K.32]\t\u2018[A] askent, Willie,\u2019 she says,\n \u2018An ye will grant [it] me;\n The warst maid in yer house\n To wait on yer young son an me.\u2019\n 63[K.33]\t\u2018The best maid in my house\n Is my sister Meggie,\n An ye sall ha her, Fair Ellen,\n To wait on yer young son an ye.\n 63[K.34]\t\u2018Chire up, Fair Ellen,\n Chire up, gin ye may;\n Yer kirking an yer fair weding\n Sall baith stand in ae day.\u2019\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Next: 64. Fair Janet","title":"The Child Ballads: 63. Child Waters","type":"page"}