{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch064.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch064.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch064.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 64A: Fair Janet\n \n \n 64A.1\t\u2018YE maun gang to your father, Janet,\n Ye maun gang to him soon;\n Ye maun gang to your father, Janet,\n In case that his days are dune.\u2019\n 64A.2\tJanet\u2019s awa to her father,\n As fast as she could hie:\n \u2018O what\u2019s your will wi me, father?\n O what\u2019s your will wi me?\u2019\n 64A.3\t\u2018My will wi you, Fair Janet,\u2019 he said,\n \u2018It is both bed and board;\n Some say that he loe Sweet Willie,\n But ye maun wed a French lord.\u2019\n 64A.4\t\u2018A French lord maun I wed, father?\n A French lord maun I wed?\n Then, by my sooth,\u2019 quo Fair Janet,\n \u2018He\u2019s neer enter my bed.\u2019\n 64A.5\tJanet\u2019s awa to her chamber,\n As fast as she could go;\n Wha\u2019s the first ane that tapped there,\n But Sweet Willie her jo?\n 64A.6\t\u2018O we maun part this love, Willie,\n That has been lang between;\n There\u2019s a French lord coming oer the sea,\n To wed me wi a ring;\n There\u2019s a French lord coming oer the sea,\n To wed and tak me hame.\u2019\n 64A.7\t\u2018If we maun part this love, Janet,\n It causeth mickle woe;\n If we maun part this love, Janet,\n It makes me into mourning go.\u2019\n 64A.8\t\u2018But ye maun gang to your three sisters,\n Meg, Marion, and Jean;\n Tell them to come to Fair Janet,\n In case that her days are dune.\u2019\n 64A.9\tWillie\u2019s awa to his three sisters,\n Meg, Marion, and Jean:\n \u2018O haste, and gang to Fair Janet,\n I fear that her days are dune.\u2019\n 64A.10\tSome drew to them their silken hose,\n Some drew to them their shoon,\n Some drew to them their silk manteils,\n Their covering to put on,\n And they\u2019re awa to Fair Janet,\n By the hie light o the moon.\n * * * * *\n 64A.11\t\u2018O I have born this babe, Willie,\n Wi mickle toil and pain;\n Take hame, take hame, your babe, Willie,\n For nurse I dare be nane.\u2019\n 64A.12\tHe\u2019s tane his young son in his arms,\n And kisst him cheek and chin,\n And he\u2019s awa to his mother\u2019s bower,\n By the hie light o the moon.\n 64A.13\t\u2018O open, open, mother,\u2019 he says,\n \u2018O open, and let me in;\n The rain rains on my yellow hair,\n And the dew drops oer my chin,\n And I hae my young son in my arms,\n I fear that his days are dune.\u2019\n 64A.14\tWith her fingers lang and sma\n She lifted up the pin,\n And with her arms lang and sma\n Received the baby in.\n 64A.15\t\u2018Gae back, gae back now, Sweet Willie,\n And comfort your fair lady;\n For where ye had but ae nourice,\n Your young son shall hae three.\u2019\n 64A.16\tWillie he was scarce awa,\n And the lady put to bed,\n Whan in and came her father dear:\n \u2018Make haste, and busk the bride.\u2019\n 64A.17\t\u2018There\u2019s a sair pain in my head, father,\n There\u2019s a sair pain in my side;\n And ill, O ill, am I, father,\n This day for to be a bride.\u2019\n 64A.18\t\u2018O ye maun busk this bonny bride,\n And put a gay mantle on;\n For she shall wed this auld French lord,\n Gin she should die the morn.\u2019\n 64A.19\tSome put on the gay green robes,\n And some put on the brown;\n But Janet put on the scarlet robes,\n To shine foremost throw the town.\n 64A.20\tAnd some they mounted the black steed,\n And some mounted the brown;\n But Janet mounted the milk-white steed,\n To ride foremost throw the town.\n 64A.21\t\u2018O wha will guide your horse, Janet?\n O wha will guide him best?\u2019\n \u2018O wha but Willie, my true-love?\n He kens I loe him best.\u2019\n 64A.22\tAnd when they cam to Marie\u2019s kirk,\n To tye the haly ban,\n Fair Janet\u2019s cheek looked pale and wan,\n And her colour gaed an cam.\n 64A.23\tWhen dinner it was past and done,\n And dancing to begin,\n \u2018O we\u2019ll go take the bride\u2019s maidens,\n And we\u2019ll go fill the ring.\u2019\n 64A.24\tO ben than cam the auld French lord,\n Saying, Bride, will ye dance with me?\n \u2018Awa, awa, ye auld French lord,\n Your face I downa see.\u2019\n 64A.25\tO ben than cam now Sweet Willie,\n He cam with ane advance:\n \u2018O I\u2019ll go tak the bride\u2019s maidens,\n And we\u2019ll go tak a dance.\u2019\n 64A.26\t\u2018I\u2019ve seen ither days wi you, Willie,\n And so has mony mae,\n Ye would hae danced wi me mysel,\n Let a\u2019 my maidens gae.\u2019\n 64A.27\tO ben than cam now Sweet Willie,\n Saying, Bride, will ye dance wi me?\n \u2018Aye, by my sooth, and that I will,\n Gin my back should break in three.\u2019\n 64A.28\tShe had nae turned her throw the dance,\n Throw the dance but thrice,\n When she fell doun at Willie\u2019s feet,\n And up did never rise.\n 64A.29\tWillie\u2019s taen the key of his coffer,\n And gien it to his man:\n \u2018Gae hame, and tell my mother dear\n My horse he has me slain;\n Bid her be kind to my young son,\n For father he has nane.\u2019\n 64A.30\tThe tane was buried in Marie\u2019s kirk,\n And the tither in Marie\u2019s quire;\n Out of the tane there grew a birk,\n And the tither a bonny brier.\n \n \n \n 64B: Fair Janet\n \n \n 64B.1\t\u2018IF you do love me weel, Willie,\n Ye\u2019ll shew to me truelie;\n Ye\u2019ll build to me a bonnie ship,\n And set her on the sea.\u2019\n 64B.2\tHe did love her very weel,\n He shewed to her trulie;\n He builded her a bonnie ship,\n And set her on the sea.\n 64B.3\tThey had not sailed one league, one league,\n One league but only three,\n Till sharp, sharp showers fair Janet took,\n She grew sick and like to die.\n 64B.4\t\u2018If you do love me weel, Willie,\n Ye\u2019ll shew to me trulye;\n Ye\u2019ll tak me to my mother\u2019s bower,\n Whare I was wont to be.\u2019\n 64B.5\tHe did love her very weel,\n He shewed to her trulye;\n He took her to her mother\u2019s bower,\n Whare she was wont to be.\n 64B.6\t\u2018It\u2019s ye\u2019ll stand up at my richt side,\n You will on tiptaes stand,\n Until you hear your auld son weep,\n But an you Janet mourn.\n 64B.7\t\u2018Come take your auld son in your arms,\n He is both large and lang;\n Come take your auld son in your arms,\n And for a nourice gang.\u2019\n 64B.8\tHe is to his mother\u2019s bowers,\n An hour or it struck nine:\n \u2018I have a babe into my arms,\n He\u2019ll die nor nouricing.\u2019\n 64B.9\t\u2018Goe home, go home, my son,\u2019 she says,\n \u2018And mak thy Jenny blythe;\n If ae nurse winna sere her son,\n It\u2019s I\u2019ll provide him five.\u2019\n 64B.10\tFair Janet was nae weel lichter,\n Nor weel doun on her side,\n Till ben and cam her father dear,\n Saying, Wha will busk our bride?\n 64B.11\tBen and cam her brethren dear,\n Saying, Wha will busk our bride?\n And wha will saddle our bride\u2019s horse?\n Whom ahint will she ride?\n 64B.12\t\u2018Hold your tongue, my brethren dear,\n And let your folly be,\n For I\u2019m sae fair and full of hair\n Sma busking will serve me.\n 64B.13\t\u2018Hold your tongue, my brethren dear,\n And let your folly be,\n For I will ride behint William,\n He will best wait on me.\n 64B.14\t\u2018Willie, lay the saddle saft,\n And lead the bridle soun,\n And when we come to Mary\u2019s Kirk,\n Ye\u2019ll set me hooly down.\u2019\n 64B.15\tSupper scarslie was owre,\n Nor musick weel fa\u2019n to,\n Till ben and cam the bride\u2019s brethren,\n Saying, Bride, ye\u2019ll dance wi me:\n \u2018Awa, awa, my brethren dear,\n For dancing\u2019s no for me.\u2019\n 64B.16\tBen and came her ain bridegroom,\n Saying, Bride, ye\u2019ll dance wi me;\n She says, Awa, awa, ye southland dog,\n Your face I downa see.\n 64B.17\tBen and cam then Sweet Willie,\n Saying, Bride, ye\u2019ll dance wi me:\n \u2018Oh I will dance the floor once owre,\n Tho my heart should break in three.\u2019\n 64B.18\t\u2018Oh no, oh no,\u2019 said Sweet William,\n \u2018Let no such things eer be;\n But I will cut my glove in two,\n And I\u2019ll dance for thee and me.\u2019\n 64B.19\tShe hadna danced the floor once owre,\n I\u2019m sure she hadna thrice,\n Till she fell in a deadly swound,\n And from it neer did rise.\n 64B.20\tOut and spak her ain bridegroom,\n And an angry man was he:\n \u2018This day she has gien me the gecks,\n Yet she must bear the scorn;\n There\u2019s not a bell in merry Linkum\n Shall ring for her the morn.\u2019\n 64B.21\tOut and spoke then Sweet William,\n And a sorry man was he:\n \u2018Altho she has gien you the gecks,\n She will not bear the scorn;\n There\u2019s not a bell in merry Linkum\n But shall ring for her the morn.\u2019\n 64B.22\tThere was not a bell in merry Linkum\n But they tinkled and they rang,\n And a\u2019 the birds that flew above,\n They changed their notes and sang.\n \n \n \n 64C: Fair Janet\n \n \n 64C.1\tLIVD ance twa luvers in yon dale,\n And they luvd ither weel;\n Frae evning late to morning aire\n Of luving luvd their fill.\n 64C.2\t\u2018Now, Willie, gif you luve me weel,\n As sae it seems to me,\n Gar build, gar build a bonny schip,\n Gar build it speedilie.\n 64C.3\t\u2018AnRR rrwe wLl saL the sea sae g-een,\n Unto some far countrie,\n Or we\u2019ll sail to some bonie isle,\n Stands lanely midst the sea.\u2019\n 64C.4\tBut lang or ere the schip was built,\n Or deckd, or rigged out,\n Came sick a pain in Annet\u2019s back\n That down she coud na lout.\n 64C.5\t\u2018Now, Willie, gif ye luve me weel,\n As sae it seems to me,\n O haste, haste, bring me to my bowr,\n And my bowr-maidens three.\u2019\n 64C.6\tHe\u2019s taen her in his arms twa,\n And kissd her, cheik and chin;\n He\u2019s brocht her to her ain sweet bowr,\n But nae bowr-maid was in.\n 64C.7\t\u2018Now leave my bower, Willie,\u2019 she said,\n \u2018Now leave me to my lane;\n When she was travelling.\u2019\n 64C.8\tHe\u2019s stepped three steps down the stair,\n Upon the marble stane;\n Sae loud\u2019s he heard his young son\u2019s greet,\n But and his lady\u2019s mane!\n 64C.9\t\u2018Now come, now come, Willie,\u2019 she said,\n \u2018Tak your young son frae me,\n And hie him to your mother\u2019s bower,\n With speed and privacie.\u2019\n 64C.10\tHe\u2019s taen his young son in his arms,\n He\u2019s kissd him, cheik and chin;\n He\u2019s hied him to his mother\u2019s bower,\n By th\u2019 ae light of the moon.\n 64C.11\tAnd with him came the bold barone,\n And he spake up wi pride:\n \u2018Gar seek, gar seek the bower-maidens,\n Gar busk, gar busk the bryde.\u2019\n 64C.12\t\u2018My maidens, easy with my back,\n And easy with my side;\n O set my saddle saft, Willie,\n I am a tender bryde.\u2019\n 64C.13\tWhen she came to the burrow-town,\n They gied her a broch and ring,\n And when she came to . . .,\n They had a fair wedding.\n 64C.14\tO up then spake the norland lord,\n And blinkit wi his ee:\n \u2018I trow this lady\u2019s born a bairn,\u2019\n Then laucht loud lauchters three.\n 64C.15\tAnd up then spake the brisk bridegroom,\n And he spake up wi pryde:\n \u2018Gin I should pawn my wedding-gloves,\n I will dance wi the bryde.\u2019\n 64C.16\t\u2018Now had your tongue, my lord,\u2019 she said,\n \u2018Wi dancing let me be;\n I am sae thin in flesh and blude,\n Sma dancing will serve me.\u2019\n 64C.17\tBut she\u2019s taen Willie be the hand,\n The tear blinded her ee:\n \u2018But I wad dance wi my true-luve,\n But bursts my heart in three.\u2019\n 64C.18\tShe\u2019s taen her bracelet frae her arm,\n Her garter frae her knee:\n \u2018Gie that, gie that to my young son,\n He\u2019ll neer his mother see.\u2019\n * * * * *\n 64C.19\t\u2018Gar deal, gar deal the bread, mother,\n Gar deal, gar deal the wyne;\n This day hath seen my true-love\u2019s death,\n This nicht shall witness myne.\u2019\n \n \n \n 64D: Fair Janet\n \n \n 64D.1\t\u2018IT never was my mother\u2019s fashion,\n As little will\u2019t be mine,\n For to hae gay lords within my room\n When ladies are travailing.\u2019\n 64D.2\tLord William was scarsely down the stair,\n A step but only ane,\n Till he heard his auld son gie a cry,\n And his lady a heavy maen.\n 64D.3\t\u2018Turn back, turn back, Lord William,\u2019 she says,\n \u2018Take thy auld son in thy coat-neuk,\n And see and reach thy mother\u2019s bowers\n Twa hours before day comes.\u2019\n 64D.4\tHe\u2019s awa wi his auld son in his coat-neuk,\n As fast as he can run,\n And there he\u2019s reached his mother\u2019s bowers,\n Twa hours before day came.\n 64D.5\t\u2018O rise, O rise, my mother dear,\n O rise and let me in,\n For I\u2019ve my auld son in my coat-neuk,\n And he shivers at the chin.\u2019\n 64D.6\t\u2018Ye\u2019re welcome hame to me, Lord William,\n And so is thy auld son;\n It\u2019s where ye had but ae nourice,\n Thy auld son he\u2019ll hae four.\u2019\n 64D.7\tHis lady was scarsely in her bed,\n Nor well faln owre asleep,\n When four and twenty knights and lords\n Came for the bride at last.\n 64D.8\tThey dressed her up, they dressed her down,\n They dressed her wondrous fine,\n And just before her ain bedside\n She lost her colour clean.\n 64D.9\t\u2018Be hooly wi my head, maidens,\n Be hooly wi my hair,\n For it was washen late last night,\n And now it\u2019s very sair.\u2019\n 64D.10\tOut then spoke a southern lord,\n And oh but he spak bauld:\n \u2018She is the likest that bore a child\n That eer my eyes did see.\u2019\n 64D.11\tUp then spak her auld, auld father,\n And oh he spoke in time:\n \u2018She neer bore a child since her birth\n Except it was yestreen.\u2019\n 64D.12\tOut then spoke a northern lord:\n \u2018It\u2019s bride, will ye dance wi me?\u2019\n \u2018Oh no, oh no, you northland lord,\n It\u2019s dancing\u2019s no for me.\u2019\n 64D.13\tOut then spoke a southland lord:\n \u2018It\u2019s bride, will ye dance wi me?\u2019\n \u2018Oh no, oh no, you southland lord,\n I would as lief chuse to die.\u2019\n 64D.14\tOut then spoke her ain bridegroom:\n \u2018O bride, will ye dance wi me?\u2019\n \u2018Oh no, oh no, my ain bridegroom,\n It\u2019s dancing\u2019s no for me.\u2019\n 64D.15\tyes, I\u2019ll dance, dear Willie,\u2019 she said,\n Out then spoke her ain Willy,\n And oh he spoke fu fine:\n \u2018O bride, O bride, will ye dance wi me,\u2019\n . . . . .\n 64D.16\t\u2018Oh yes, oh yes, Willie,\u2019 she said,\n \u2018It\u2019s I will dance with thee;\n Oh yes, I\u2019ll dance, dear Willie,\u2019 she said,\n \u2018Tho my back it gaes in three.\u2019\n 64D.17\tShe leaned her head on Willie\u2019s breast,\n And her back unto the wa:\n \u2018O there\u2019s the key of my coffer,\n And pay weel the nouriss fee,\n And aye when ye look on your auld son,\n Ye may aye think on me.\u2019\n \n \n \n 64E: Fair Janet\n \n \n 64E.1\tWILLIE and Fair Janet\n Sat a\u2019 day on yon hill;\n And Janet she took sair pains,\n And O but she grew ill.\n 64E.2\t\u2018Fetch a woman to me, Willie,\n O fetch a woman to me,\n For without the help of woman, Willie,\n Surely I will dee.\u2019\n 64E.3\t\u2018O tie a napkin on my face,\n That naething I may see,\n And what can a woman do, Janet,\n But I will do for thee?\u2019\n * * * * *\n 64E.4\tShe was na scarcely brought to bed,\n Nor yet laid on her side,\n Till in and cam her father there,\n Crying, Fy, gae busk the bride.\n 64E.5\t\u2018A wearyed bride am I, father,\n A wearyed bride am I;\n Must I gae wed that southlan lord,\n And let Sweet Willie abe?\u2019\n * * * * *\n 64E.6\t\u2018Now chuse, now chuse now, Fair Janet,\n What shall your cleeding be;\n Now chuse, now chuse now, Fair Janet,\n And I will gie it to thee.\n 64E.7\t\u2018Whether will you hae it of the berry brown,\n Or of the holland green;\n Or will you hae it of the crimson red,\n Most lovely to be seen?\u2019\n 64E.8\t\u2018I will not hae\u2019t of the berry brown,\n Nor yet o the holly green;\n But I will hae\u2019t of the crimson red,\n Most lovely to be seen.\u2019\n 64E.9\t\u2018Now chuse, now chuse now, Fair Janet,\n What man you\u2019ll ride behind:\u2019\n \u2018O wha sae fitting as Sweet Willie?\n He\u2019ll fit my saddle fine.\u2019\n 64E.10\tO they rode on, and they rode on,\n Till they cam to Merrytown green;\n But Sweet Willie and Fair Janet\n Cam aye hoolie ahin.\n 64E.11\tO whan they cam to Merrytown,\n And lighted on the green,\n Monie a bluidy aith was sworn\n That our bride was wi bairn.\n 64E.12\tOut and spake the bonny bride,\n And she swore by her fingers ten:\n \u2018If eer I was wi bairn in my life,\n I was lighter sin yestreen.\u2019\n 64E.13\tUp and raise he the bridegroom,\n Says, Bride, will ye dance wi me?\n \u2018Dance on, dance on, bridegroom,\u2019 she says,\n \u2018For I\u2019ll dance nane wi thee.\u2019\n 64E.14\tUp and raise her father then,\n Says, Bride, will ye dance wi me?\n \u2018Dance on, my father,\u2019 she replied,\n \u2018I pray thee let me be.\u2019\n 64E.15\tThen up and raise he Sweet Willie,\n And he had meikle pride:\n \u2018I\u2019ll lay my gloves in the bride\u2019s han,\n And I\u2019ll dance for the bride.\u2019\n 64E.16\t\u2018O no, O no, O Sweet Willie,\n O no, that shall na be;\n For I will dance wi thee, Willie,\n Tho my back should fa in three.\u2019\n 64E.17\tShe had na run a reel, a reel,\n A reel but barely three,\n Till pale and wan grew Fair Janet,\n And her head took Willie\u2019s knee.\n 64E.18\tOut and spake then the bridegroom,\n And he spake wi great scorn:\n \u2018There\u2019s not a bell in Merrytown kirk\n Shall ring for her the morn.\u2019\n 64E.19\tOut and spak he Sweet Willie,\n And his heart was almost gane:\n \u2018\u2019Tis a the bells in Merrytown kirk\n Shall ring for her the morn.\u2019\n 64E.20\tWillie was buried in Mary\u2019s kirk,\n etc., etc., etc.\n \n \n \n 64F: Fair Janet\n \n \n 64F.1\tHEY, love Willie, and how, love Willie,\n And Willie my love shall be;\n They\u2019re thinking to sinder our lang love, Willie;\n It\u2019s mair than man can dee.\n 64F.2\t\u2018Ye\u2019ll mount me quickly on a steed,\n A milk-white steed or gray,\n And carry me on to gude greenwood,\n Before that it be day.\u2019\n 64F.3\tHe mounted her upon a steed,\n He chose a steed o gray;\n He had her on to gude greenwood,\n Before that it was day.\n 64F.4\t\u2018O will ye gang to the cards, Meggie?\n Or will ye gang wi me?\n Or will ye hae a bower-woman,\n To stay ere it be day?\u2019\n 64F.5\t\u2018I winna gang to the cards,\u2019 she said,\n \u2018Nor will I gae wi thee,\n Nor will I hae a bower-woman,\n To spoil my modestie.\n 64F.6\t\u2018Ye\u2019ll gie me a lady at my back,\n An a lady me beforn,\n An a midwife at my twa sides,\n Till your young son be born.\n 64F.7\t\u2018Ye\u2019ll do me up, and further up,\n To the top o yon greenwood tree;\n For every pain myself shall hae,\n The same pain ye maun drie.\u2019\n 64F.8\tThe first pain that did strike Sweet Willie,\n It was into the side;\n Then sighing sair said Sweet Willie,\n These pains are ill to bide!\n 64F.9\tThe nextan pain that strake Sweet Willie,\n It was into the back;\n Then sighing sair said Sweet Willie,\n These pains are women\u2019s wreck!\n 64F.10\tThe nextan pain that strake Sweet Willie,\n It was into the head;\n Then sighing sair said Sweet Willie,\n I fear my lady\u2019s dead!\n 64F.11\tThen he\u2019s gane on, and further on,\n At the foot o yon greenwood tree;\n There he got his lady lighter,\n Wi his young son on her knee.\n 64F.12\tThen he\u2019s taen up his little young son,\n And kissd him, cheek and chin,\n And he is on to his mother,\n As fast as he could gang.\n 64F.13\t\u2018Ye will take in my son, mother,\n Gie him to nurses nine;\n Three to wauk, and three to sleep,\n And three to fanf between.\u2019\n 64F.14\tThen he has left his mother\u2019s house,\n And frae her he has gane,\n And he is back to his lady,\n And safely brought her hame.\n 64F.15\tThen in it came her father dear,\n Was belted in a brand:\n \u2018It\u2019s nae time for brides to lye in bed,\n When the bridegroom\u2019s send\u2019s in town.\n 64F.16\t\u2018There are four-and-twenty noble lords\n A\u2019 lighted on the green;\n The fairest knight amang them a\u2019,\n He must be your bridegroom.\u2019\n 64F.17\t\u2018O wha will shoe my foot, my foot?\n And wha will glove my hand?\n And wha will prin my sma middle,\n Wi the short prin and the lang?\u2019\n 64F.18\tNow out it speaks him Sweet Willie,\n Who knew her troubles best:\n \u2018It is my duty for to serve,\n As I\u2019m come here as guest.\n 64F.19\t\u2018Now I will shoe your foot, Maisry,\n And I will glove your hand,\n And I will prin your sma middle,\n Wi the sma prin and the lang.\u2019\n 64F.20\t\u2018Wha will saddle my steed,\u2019 she says,\n \u2018And gar my bridle ring?\n And wha will hae me to gude church-door,\n This day I\u2019m ill abound?\u2019\n 64F.21\t\u2018I will saddle your steed, Maisry,\n And gar your bridle ring,\n And I\u2019ll hae you to gude church-door,\n And safely set you down.\u2019\n 64F.22\t\u2018O healy, healy take me up,\n And healy set me down,\n And set my back until a wa,\n My foot to yird-fast stane.\u2019\n 64F.23\tHe healy took her frae her horse,\n And healy set her down,\n And set her back until a wa,\n Her foot to yird-fast stane.\n 64F.24\tWhen they had eaten and well drunken,\n And a\u2019 had thornd fine,\n The bride\u2019s father he took the cup,\n For to serve out the wine.\n 64F.25\tOut it speaks the bridegroom\u2019s brother,\n An ill death mat he die!\n \u2018I fear our bride she\u2019s born a bairn,\n Or else has it a dee.\u2019\n 64F.26\tShe\u2019s taen out a Bible braid,\n And deeply has she sworn;\n \u2018If I hae born a bairn,\u2019 she says,\n \u2018Sin yesterday at morn,\n 64F.27\t\u2018Or if I\u2019ve born a bairn,\u2019 she says,\n \u2018Sin yesterday at noon,\n There\u2019s nae a lady amang you a\u2019\n That woud been here sae soon.\u2019\n 64F.28\tThen out it spake the bridegroom\u2019s man,\n Mischance come ower his heel!\n \u2018Win up, win up, now bride,\u2019 he says,\n \u2018And dance a shamefu reel.\u2019\n 64F.29\tThen out it speaks the bride hersell,\n And a sorry heart had she:\n \u2018Is there nae ane amang you a\u2019\n Will dance this dance for me?\u2019\n 64F.30\tThen out it speaks him Sweet Willie,\n And he spake aye thro pride:\n \u2018O draw my boots for me, bridegroom,\n Or I dance for your bride.\u2019\n 64F.31\tThen out it spake the bride hersell:\n O na, this maunna be;\n For I will dance this dance mysell,\n Tho my back shoud gang in three.\n 64F.32\tShe hadna well gane thro the reel,\n Nor yet well on the green,\n Till she fell down at Willie\u2019s feet\n As cauld as ony stane.\n 64F.33\tHe\u2019s taen her in his arms twa,\n And haed her up the stair;\n Then up it came her jolly bridegroom,\n Says, What\u2019s your business there?\n 64F.34\tThen Willie lifted up his foot,\n And dang him down the stair,\n And brake three ribs o the bridegroom\u2019s side,\n And a word he spake nae mair.\n 64F.35\tNae meen was made for that lady,\n When she was lying dead;\n But a\u2019 was for him Sweet Willie,\n On the fields for he ran mad.\n \n \n \n 64G: Fair Janet\n \n \n 64G.1\t\u2018WILL you marry the southland lord,\n A queen of fair England to be?\n Or will you burn for Sweet Willie,\n The morn upon yon lea?\u2019\n 64G.2\t\u2018I will marry the southland lord,\n Father, sen it is your will;\n But I\u2019d rather it were my burial-day,\n For my grave I\u2019m going till.\n 64G.3\t\u2018O go, O go now, my bower-wife,\n O go now hastilie,\n O go now to Sweet Willie\u2019s bower,\n And bid him cum speak to me.\u2019\n * * * * *\n 64G.4\tAnd he is to his mother\u2019s bower,\n As fast as he could rin:\n \u2018Open, open, my mother dear,\n Open, and let me in.\n 64G.5\t\u2018For the rain rains on my yellow hair,\n The dew stands on my chin,\n And I have something in my lap,\n And I wad fain be in.\u2019\n 64G.6\t\u2018O go, O go now, Sweet Willie,\n And make your lady blithe,\n For wherever you had ae nourice,\n Your young son shall hae five.\u2019\n 64G.7\tOut spak Annet\u2019s mother dear,\n An she spak a word o\u2019 pride;\n Says, Whare is a\u2019 our bride\u2019s maidens,\n They\u2019re no busking the bride?\n 64G.8\t\u2018O haud your tongue, my mother dear,\n Your speaking let it be,\n For I\u2019m sae fair and full o flesh\n Little busking will serve me.\u2019\n 64G.9\tOut an spak the bride\u2019s maidens,\n They spak a word o pride;\n Says, Whare is a\u2019 the fine cleiding?\n It\u2019s we maun busk the bride.\n 64G.10\t\u2018Deal hooly wi my head, maidens,\n Deal hooly wi my hair;\n For it was washen late yestreen,\n And it is wonder sair.\u2019\n * * * * *\n 64G.11\tAnd Willie swore a great, great oath,\n And he swore by the thorn,\n That she was as free o a child that night\n As the night that she was born.\n 64G.12\t\u2018Ye hae gien me the gowk, Annet,\n But I\u2019ll gie you the scorn;\n For there\u2019s no a bell in a\u2019 the town\n Shall ring for you the morn.\u2019\n 64G.13\tOut and spak then Sweet Willie:\n Sae loud\u2019s I hear you lie!\n There\u2019s no a bell in a\u2019 the town\n But shall ring for Annet and me.\n * * * * *\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Next: 65. Lady Maisry","title":"The Child Ballads: 64. Fair Janet","type":"page"}