The English and Scottish Popular Ballads :: :: University of Virginia Library

The English and Scottish Popular Ballads

Edited by Francis James Child.

Part I.

II.

III.

IV.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

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129

The Bonnie Milldams of Binnorie

THE TWA SISTERS—D

[_]

Kinloch's MSS, ii, 49. From the recitation of Mrs Johnston, a North-country lady.

1

There lived three sisters in a bouer,
Edinbruch, Edinbruch
There lived three sisters in a bouer,
Stirling for aye
There lived three sisters in a bouer,
The youngest was the sweetest flowr.
Bonnie St Johnston stands upon Tay

2

There cam a knicht to see them a',
And on the youngest his love did fa.

3

He brought the eldest ring and glove,
But the youngest was his ain true-love.

4

He brought the second sheath and knife,
But the youngest was to be his wife.

5

The eldest sister said to the youngest ane,
‘Will ye go and see our father's ships come in?’

6

And as they walked by the linn,
The eldest dang the youngest in.

7

‘O sister, sister, tak my hand,
And ye'll be heir to a' my land.’

8

‘Foul fa the hand that I wad take,
To twin me o my warld's make.’

9

‘O sister, sister, tak my glove,
And yese get Willie, my true-love.’

10

‘Sister, sister, I'll na tak your glove,
For I'll get Willie, your true-love.’

11

Aye she swittert, and aye she swam,
Till she cam to yon bonnie mill-dam.

12

The miller's dochter cam out wi speed,
It was for water, to bake her bread.

13

‘O father, father, gae slack your dam;
There's in't a lady or a milk-white swan.’

[OMITTED]

14

They could na see her coal-black eyes
For her yellow locks hang oure her brees.

15

They could na see her weel-made middle
For her braid gowden girdle.

[OMITTED]

16

And by there cam an auld blind fiddler,
And took three tets o her bonnie yellow hair.

[OMITTED]

17

The first spring that the bonnie fiddle playd,
‘Hang my cruel sister, Alison,’ it said.