SWEET WILLIAM AND MAY MARGARET

There came a ghost to Margret's door,

With many a grievous groan;

And aye he tirlèd at the pin,

But answer made she none....

"Is that my father Philip?

Or is't my brother John?

Or is't my true-love Willie,

From Scotland new come home?"

'Tis not thy father Philip,

Nor yet thy brother John,

But' tis thy true-love Willie,

From Scotland new come home.

"O sweet Margret, O dear Margret,

I pray thee speak to me;

Give me my faith and troth, Margret,

As I gave it to thee."

"Thy faith and troth thou's never get,

Nor yet will I thee lend,

Till that thou come within my bower

And kiss me cheek and chin."

"If I shou'd come within thy bower,

I am no earthly man;

And shou'd I kiss thy ruby lips,

Thy days would not be lang.

"O sweet Margret, O dear Margret,

I pray thee speak to me;

Give me my faith and troth, Margret,

As I gave it to thee."

"Thy faith and troth thou's never get,

Nor yet will I thee lend,

Till thou take me to yon kirk-yard,

And wed me with a ring."

"My bones are buried in yon kirk-yard

Afar beyond the sea;

And it is but my spirit, Margret,

That's now speaking to thee."

She stretched out her lily-white hand,

And, for to do her best:

"Hae, there's your faith and troth, Willie;

God send your soul good rest."...

Now she has kilted her robes o' green

A piece below her knee,

And a' the live-lang winter night

The dead corp followed she.

"Is there any room at your head, Willie,

Or any room at your feet?

Or any room at your side, Willie,

Wherein that I may creep?"

"There's nae room at my head, Margret,

There's nae room at my feet;

There's nae room at my side, Margret,

My coffin's made so meet."

Then up and crew the red, red cock,

And up and crew the grey;

"'Tis time, 'tis time, my dear Margret,

That you were gane awa'."

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