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The English and Scottish Popular Ballads

Edited by Francis James Child.

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CHILD WATERS—F

[_]

Jamieson's Popular Ballads, I, 114, from Mrs Arrot of Arberbrothick.

1

Lord Thomas stands in his stable-door,
Seeing his steeds kaimd down;
Lady Ellen sits at her bower-door,
Sewing her silver seam.

2

‘O will ye stay at hame, Ellen,
And sew your silver seam?
Or will ye to the rank highlands?
For my lands lay far frae hame.’

3

‘I winna stay at hame, Lord Thomas,
And sew my silver seam;
But I'll gae to the rank highlands,
Tho your lands lay far frae hame.’
[OMITTED]

4

‘An asking, an asking, Lord Thomas,
I pray thee grant it me;
How many miles into your fair tower,
And house where you would be?’

5

‘Your asking fair, Lady Ellen,’ he says,
‘Shall now be granted thee;
For to my castle where it stands
Is thirty miles and three:’
‘O wae is me,’ says Lady Ellen,
‘It will never be run by me.’

6

But up and spak the wily pyot,
That sat upon the tree:
‘Sae loud, sae loud, ye fause, fause knight,
Sae loud as I hear you lie!

7

‘For to your dwelling-house,’ it says,
‘Of miles it's scantly three:’
‘O weel is me,’ says Lady Ellen;
‘It shall be run by me.’
[OMITTED]

8

‘O mither, mither, mak my bed,
And mak it braid and wide,
And lay my little page at my feet,
Whatever may betide.’
[OMITTED]

9

‘An asking, an asking, Lord Thomas,
I pray thee grant it me;
O grant me a cup of cold water,
Between my young son and me.’

10

‘What you do ask, Lady Ellen,
Shall soon be granted thee;
The best bread and the best wine,
Between my young son and thee.’

11

‘I ask again, my good Lord Thomas,
I ask again of thee;
The poorest cot-house in your land,
Between my young son and me.’

12

‘Your asking now, dear Lady Ellen,
I quickly grant to thee;
The best bower about my tower,
Between my young son and thee.’