| |
I
THERE where three ladies live in a bower— | |
| Eh, wow, bonnie! | |
| And they went out to pull a flower | |
| On the bonnie banks o’ Fordie. | |
| |
II
They hadna pu’ed a flower but ane, | 5 |
| When up started to them a banisht man. | |
| |
III
He’s ta’en the first sister by her hand, | |
| And he’s turn’d her round and made her stand. | |
| |
IV
‘It’s whether will ye be a rank robber’s wife, | |
| Or will ye die by my wee pen-knife?’ | 10 |
| |
V
‘It’s I’ll not be a rank robber’s wife, | |
| But I’ll rather die by your wee pen-knife.’ | |
| |
VI
He’s killed this may, and he’s laid her by, | |
| For to bear the red rose company. | |
| |
VII
He’s ta’en the second ane by the hand, | 15 |
| And he’s turn’d her round and made her stand. | |
| |
VIII
‘It’s whether will ye be a rank robber’s wife, | |
| Or will ye die by my wee pen-knife?’ | |
| |
IX
‘It’s I’ll not be a rank robber’s wife, | |
| But I’ll rather die by your wee pen-knife.’ | 20 |
| |
X
He’s killed this may, and he’s laid her by, | |
| For to bear the red rose company. | |
| |
XI
He’s taken the youngest ane by the hand, | |
| And he’s turn’d her round and made her stand. | |
| |
XII
Says, ‘Will ye be a rank robber’s wife, | 25 |
| Or will ye die by my wee pen-knife?’ | |
| |
XIII
‘It’s I’ll not be a rank robber’s wife, | |
| Nor will I die by your wee pen-knife. | |
| |
XIV
‘For in this wood a brother I hae; | |
| And gin ye kill me, it’s he’ll kill thee.’ | 30 |
| |
XV
‘What’s thy brother’s name? come tell to me.’ | |
| ‘My brother’s name is Baby Lon.’ | |
| |
XVI
‘O sister, sister, what have I done! | |
| O have I done this ill to thee! | |
| |
XVII
‘O since I’ve done this evil deed, | 35 |
| Good sall never be my meed.’ | |
| |
XVIII
He’s taken out his wee pen-knife, | |
| Eh, wow, bonnie! | |
| And he’s twyn’d himsel’ o’ his ain sweet life | |
| On the bonnie banks o’ Fordie. | 40 |
| | | GLOSS: twyned] taken away, bereaved. |
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