A
a. Kinloch MSS, V, 9, in the handwriting of James Beattie. b. Kinloch’s Ancient Scottish Ballads, p. 199; “from recitation.”
1
O it fell out upon a day,
When Drums was going to ride, O
And there he met with a well-far’d may,
Keeping her flocks on yon side. O
2
‘O fair may, O rare may,
Can not you fancy me?
Of a’ the lasses here about
I like nane so well as thee.’
3
‘Set your love on another, kind sir,
Set it not on me,
For I’m not fit to be your bride,
And your whore I’ll never be.’
4
Drums is to her father gane,
Keeping his flocks on yon hill,
And he has gotten his consent,
And the maid was at his will.
5
‘My daughter can neither read nor write,
She was neer brought up at school;
But well can she milk cow and ewe,
And make a kebbuck well.
6
‘She’ll winn in your barn at bear-seed time,
Cast out your muck at Yule;
She’ll saddle your steed in time o need,
Draw aff your boots hersell.’
7
‘Have not I no clergymen?
Pay I no clergy fee?
I’ll school her as I think fit,
And as I think fit to be.’
8
Drums is to the Highlands gane
For to be made ready,
And a’ the gentry thereabout
Says, Yonder comes Drums and his lady.]
9
‘Peggy Coutts is a very bonnie bride,
And Drums is a wealthy laddie;
But Drums might hae chosen a higher match
Than any shepherd’s daughter.’
10
Then up bespake his brother John,
Says, Brother you’ve done us wrong;
You’ve married ane below our degree,
A stain to a’ our kin.
11
‘Hold your tongue, my brother John,
I have done you no wrong;
For I’ve married ane to wirk and win,
And ye’ve married ane to spend.
12
‘The last time that I had a wife,
She was above my degree;
I durst not come in her presence
But with my hat on my knee.’
13
There was four-and-twenty gentlemen
Stood at the yetts o Drum;
There was na ane amang them a’
That welcomd his lady in.
14
He’s taen her by the milk-white hand
And led her in himsell,
And in thro ha’s and in thro bowers,
‘And you’re welcome, Lady o Drum.’
15
Thrice he kissd her cherry cheek,
And thrice her cherry chin,
And twenty times her comely mouth,
‘And you’re welcome, Lady o Drum.’
16
‘Ye shall be cook in my kitchen,
Butler in my ha;
Ye shall be lady at my command
When I ride far awa.’
17
‘But what will I do when auld Drum dies,
When auld Drum dies and leaves me?
Then I’ll tak back my word again,
And the Coutts will come and see me.’
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