University of Virginia Library

Rob Roy

ROB ROY—G

[_]

Cromek, Select Scotish Songs, 1810, II, 194, 199; sent by Burns to William Tytler, in a letter.

1

Rob Roy from the Highlands cam
Unto the Lawlan border,
To steal awa a gay ladie,
To haud his house in order.

2

He cam owre the Lock o Lynn,
Twenty men his arms did carry;
Himsel gaed in an fand her out,
Protesting he would marry.

3

‘O will ye gae wi me’? he says,
‘Or will ye be my honey?
Or will ye be my wedded wife?
For I love you best of any.’

4

‘I winna gae wi you,’ she says,
‘Nor will I be your honey,
Nor will I be your wedded wife;
You love me for my money.’
[OMITTED]

5

But he set her on a coal-black steed,
Himsel lap on behind her,
An he's awa to the Highland hills,
Whare her friens they canna find her.
[OMITTED]

6

‘Rob Roy was my father ca'd,
MacGregor was his name, ladie;
He led a band o heroes bauld,
An I am here the same, ladie.

7

‘Be content, be content,
Be content to stay, ladie;
For thou art my wedded wife
Until thy dying day, ladie.

8

‘He was a hedge unto his friens,
A heckle to his foes, ladie,
Every one that durst him wrang,
He took him by the nose, ladie.

9

‘I'm as bold, I'm as bold,
I'm as bold, an more, ladie;
He that daurs dispute my word
Shall feel my guid claymore, ladie.’