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.
