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The English and Scottish Popular Ballads

Edited by Francis James Child.

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GIL BRENTON—H

[_]

Kinloch MSS, v, 335, in the handwriting of Dr John Hill Burton.

1

We were seven sisters in a bower,
Adown adown, and adown and adown
The flower of a' fair Scotland ower.
Adown adown, and adown and adown

2

We were sisters, sisters seven,
The fairest women under heaven.

3

There fell a dispute us amang,
Wha would to the greenwood gang.

4

They kiest the kevels them amang,
O wha would to the greenwood gang.

5

The kevels they gied thro the ha,
And on the youngest it did fa.

6

The kevel fell into her hand,
To greenwood she was forced to gang.

7

She hedna pued a flower but ane,
When by there came an earl's son.

8

‘And was he well or was he wae,
He keepet me that summer's day.’

9

And was he weel or was he weight,
He keepet her that summer's night.

10

And he gave her a gay goud ring
His mother got at her wedding.
[OMITTED]

11

‘Oh is yer stirrup set too high?
Or is your saddle set awry?

12

‘Oh is yer stirrup set too side?
Or what's the reason ye canna ride?’
[OMITTED]

13

When all were at the table set,
Then not a bit could this lady eat.

14

When all made merry at the feast,
This lady wished she were at her rest.
[OMITTED]