University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
The English and Scottish Popular Ballads

Edited by Francis James Child.

expand sectionI. 
expand sectionII. 
expand sectionIII. 
expand sectionIV. 
expand sectionV. 
expand sectionVI. 
collapse sectionVII. 
expand section189. 
expand section190. 
expand section191. 
expand section192. 
expand section193. 
expand section194. 
expand section195. 
expand section196. 
expand section197. 
expand section198. 
expand section199. 
expand section200. 
expand section201. 
expand section202. 
collapse section203. 
  
  
  
  
expand section204. 
expand section205. 
expand section206. 
expand section207. 
expand section208. 
expand section209. 
expand section210. 
expand section211. 
expand section212. 
expand section213. 
expand section214. 
expand section215. 
expand section216. 
expand section217. 
expand section218. 
expand section219. 
expand section220. 
expand section221. 
expand section222. 
expand section223. 
expand section224. 
expand section225. 
expand sectionVIII. 
expand sectionIX. 


96

CHILD WATERS—I

[_]

Communicated by Dr Thomas Davidson, as learned from his aunt at Old Deer, about 185

1

Lord John stands in his stable-door,
Just on his way to ride;
Lady Ellen stands in her bower-door,
Says, Bide, Lord John, abide!
[OMITTED]

2

He did ride, and she did run,
A lief-lang simmer's day,
Until they came till a wan water,
That a' man did ca Tay.

3

The first step that she steppit in,
She steppit tae the cweet;
An sichan said that gay lady,
I fear this water's deep!

4

The next step that she steppit in,
She steppit tae the knee;
An sichan said that gay lady,
This water's deep for me!

5

Lord John hield down his high horse head,
Said, Lady, will ye ride?
‘O no! O no! kind sir,’ she said,
‘I'll rather choose tae wide.’

6

The next step that she steppit in,
She steppit tae the chin;
An sichan said that gay lady,
I'll wide nae farrer in.

7

The firsten town that they cam till,
She got a leash o huns tae lead,
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]

8

When bells were rung, and mass was sung,
An a' was ready tae dine,
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]

9

When bells were rung, and mass was sung,
An a' were bound for bed,
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]