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The English and Scottish Popular Ballads

Edited by Francis James Child.

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Cruel Lammikin

LAMKIN—M

[_]

a. Dr Joseph Robertson's Note-Book, Adversaria, p. 60, from tradition. b. Kinloch MSS, VI, 31, in Dr Robertson's handwriting.

[OMITTED]

1

But it fell out upon a day
Lord Wearie was to gae frae hame,
And he has left his lady gay
In his castell to stay her lane.
[OMITTED]

2

Lamkin rocked,
and fausse nourice sang,
And a' the four tors o the cradle
red blood sprang.

3

‘O still my bairn, nourice,
O still him wi the wan:
‘He winna still, lady,
for a' his father's lan.’

4

‘O still my bairn, nourice,
O still him wi the keys:
‘He winna still, lady,
for a' his father's leys.’

5

‘O still my bairn, nourice,
O still him wi the pap:’
‘He winna still, lady,
for this nor for that.’

6

‘O still my bairn, nourice,
O still him wi the bell:’

335

‘He winna still, lady,
untill ye cum down yersell.’

7

The firsten step she steppet,
she stepped on a stane,
And the nexten step she stepped,
she keppit him fause Lamkin.

8

The thirden step she steppit,
she saw her young son's red blood run on,
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]

9

‘Ye've killed my bairn, Lamkin,
but lat mysell be;
Ye'se be as weel payit a mason
as was ever payd a fee.’