The English and Scottish Popular Ballads Edited by Francis James Child. |
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The English and Scottish Popular Ballads | ||
Lammikin
LAMKIN—P
1
A better mason than Lammikinnevir builded wi the stane,
Wha builded Lord Weire's castill,
but wages nevir gat nane.
2
They stecked doors, they stecked yates,close to the cheik and the chin;
They stecked them a' but a little wickit,
and Lammikin crap in.
3
‘Now where's the lady of this castle?nurse, tell to Lammikin:’
‘She's sewing up intill her bowir,’
the fals nourrice she sung.
4
‘What sall we do, what sall we say,to gar her cum there down?’
‘We'll nip the baby in the cradle,
the fals nourrice she sung.
5
Lammikin nipped the bonie babe,while loud fals nourice sings;
Lammikin nipped the bony babe,
while hich the red blude springs.
6
‘O gentil nourice, please my babe,O please him wi the keys:’
‘He'll no be pleased, gay lady,
gin I'd sit on my knees.’
7
‘Gude gentil nourice, please my babe,O please him wi a knife:’
‘He winna be pleased, mistress myne,
gin I wad lay down my lyfe.’
8
‘Sweet nourice, loud, loud cries my babe,O please him wi the bell:’
‘He winna be pleased, gay lady,
till ye cum down yoursell.’
The English and Scottish Popular Ballads | ||