Ritchie Storie
RICHIE STORY—A
[_]
Motherwell's MS., p. 426; from the recitation of Mrs---
of Kilbarchan, January 3, 1826.
1
The Earl of Wigton had three daughters,
Oh and a waly, but they were unco bonnie!
The eldest of them had the far brawest house,
But she's fallen in love with her footmanladdie.
2
As she was a walking doun by yon river-side,
Oh and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
There she espied her own footman,
With ribbons hanging over his shoulders sae bonnie.
3
‘Here's a letter to you, madame,
Here's a letter to you, madame;
The Earl of Hume is waiting on,
And he has his service to you, madame.’
4
‘I'll have none of his service,’ says she,
‘I'll have none of his service,’ says she,
‘For I've made a vow, and I'll keep it true,
That I'll marry none but you, Ritchie.’
5
‘O say not so again, madame,
O say not so again, madame;
For I have neither lands nor rents
For to keep you on, madam.’
6
‘I'll live where eer you please, Ritchie,
‘I'll live where eer you please, [Ritchie,]
And I'll be ready at your ca',
Either late or early, Ritchie.’
7
As they went in by Stirling toun,
O and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
A' her silks were sailing on the ground,
But few of them knew of Ritchie Story.
8
As they went in by the Parliament Close,
O and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
All the nobles took her by the hand,
But few of them knew she was Ritchie's lady.
9
As they came in by her goodmother's yetts,
O and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
Her goodmother bade her kilt her coats,
And muck the byre with Ritchie Storie.
10
‘Oh, may not ye be sorry, madame,
Oh, may not ye be sorry, madame,
To leave a' your lands at bonnie Cumbernaud,
And follow home your footman-laddie?’
11
‘What need I be sorry?’ says she,
‘What need I be sorry?’ says she,
‘For I've gotten my lot and my heart's desire,
And what Providence has ordered for me.’
