Kertonha; or, The Fairy Court
TAM LIN—C
[_]
Herd, The Ancient and Modern Scots Songs, 1769, p. 300.
1
She's prickt hersell and prind hersell,
By the ae light o the moon,
And she's awa to Kertonha,
As fast as she can gang.
2
‘What gars ye pu the rose, Jennet?
What gars ye break the tree?
What gars you gang to Kertonha
Without the leave of me?’
3
‘Yes, I will pu the rose, Thomas,
And I will break the tree;
For Kertonha shoud be my ain,
Nor ask I leave of thee.’
4
‘Full pleasant is the fairy land,
And happy there to dwell;
I am a fairy, lyth and limb,
Fair maiden, view me well.
5
‘O pleasant is the fairy land,
How happy there to dwell!
But ay at every seven years end
We're a' dung down to hell.
6
‘The morn is good Halloween,
And our court a' will ride;
If ony maiden wins her man,
Then she may be his bride.
7
‘But first ye'll let the black gae by,
And then ye'll let the brown;
Then I'll ride on a milk-white steed,
You'll pu me to the ground.
8
‘And first, I'll grow into your arms
An esk but and an edder;
Had me fast, let me not gang,
I'll be your bairn's father.
9
‘Next, I'll grow into your arms
A toad but and an eel;
Had me fast, let me not gang,
If you do love me leel.
10
‘Last, I'll grow into your arms
A dove but and a swan;
Then, maiden fair, you'll let me go,
I'll be a perfect man.’
[OMITTED]
