"But she that welcomes my brisk bride, "Maun gang like maiden fair; "She maun lace on her robe sae jimp, " And braid her yellow hair." "But how can I gang maiden-like, She's ta'en her young son in her arms, And she's up to the highest tower, "Come up, come up, my eldest son, "Come down, come down, my mother dear! "Come frae the castle-wa'! " I fear, if langer ye stand there, "Ye'll let yoursell down fa." And she gaed down, and farther down, And the top-mast and the main-mast And she's gane down, and farther down, And the top-mast and the main-mast She's ta'en her seven sons in her hand; I wot she didna fail! She met Lord Thomas and his bride, "You're welcome to your house, Lord Thomas; "You're welcome to your land; "You're welcome, with your fair ladye, "That you lead by the hand. "You're welcome to your ha's, ladye; " I thank thee, Annie; I thank thee, Annie; "Sae dearly as I thank thee; "You're the likest to my sister, Annie, "That ever I did see. "There came a knight out o'er the sea, She hang ae napkin at the door, And a' to wipe the trickling tears, And aye she served the lang tables, And aye she drank the wan water, And aye she served the lang tables, With white bread and with brown; And aye she turned her round about, Sae fast the tears fall down. * Scoup-Go, or rather fly. † To keep her from changing countenance. And he's ta'en down the silk napkin, And aye he wipes the tear trickling And aye he turned him round about, When bells were rung, and mass was sung, And a' men bound to bed, Lord Thomas and his new-come bride, Annie made her bed a little forebye, "Gin my seven sons were seven young rats, "Running on the castle-wa', "And I were a grey cat mysell ! "I soon would worry them a'. "Gin my seven sons were seven young hares, "Running o'er yon lilly lee, "And I were a grew hound mysell! "Soon worried they a' should be." And wae and sad fair Annie sat, And drearie was her sang; And ever, as she sobb'd and grat, "Wae to the man that did the wrang!" "My gown is on," said the new-come bride, "My shoes are on my feet, "And I will to fair Annie's chamber, " And see what gars her greet. "What ails ye, what ails ye, Fair Annie, " wha was't was your father, Annie, "Or wha was't was your mother? "And had ye ony sister, Annie, "Or had ye ony brother?" |