C
a. “Scotch Ballads, Materials for Border Minstrelsy,” No 65, MS. of Thomas Wilkie, 1813–15, p. 53, from the singing or recitation of Miss Euphemia Hislope. b. Campbell MSS, II, 116.
1
There are three white hens i the green, madam,
There are three white hens i the green, madam,
But Richie Story he’s comd by,
And he’s stollen away the fairest of them.
2
‘O are’int ye now sad, sister,
O are’in[t] ye now sad, sister,
To leave your bowers and your bony Skimmerknow,
And follow the lad they call Richie Story?’
3
‘O say not that again, sister,
O say not that again, sister,
For he is the lad that I love best,
And he is the lot that has fallen to me.’
4
‘O there’s a letter to thee, madam,
O there’s a letter to thee, madam;
The Earl of Hume and Skimmerjim,
For to be sweethearts to thee, madam.’
5
‘But I’ll hae none of them, Richie,
But I’ll hae none of them, Richie,
For I have made a vow, and I’ll keep it true,
I’ll have none but Ric[h]ie Story.’
6
‘O say not that again, madam,
O say not that again, madam,
For the Earl of Hume and Skimmerjim,
They are men of high renown.’
7
‘Musslebury’s mine, Richie,
Musslebury’s mine, Richie,
And a’ that’s mine it shall be thine,
If you will marry me, Richie.’
8
As she went up through Glasgow city,
Her gold watch was shining pretty;
Many [a] lord bade her good day,
But none thought she was a footman’s lady.
9
As she went up through London city,
There she met her scolding minny:
‘Cast off your silks and kilt your coats,
And muck the byre wi Richie Story.’
10
‘Hold your tongue, my scolding minnie,
Hold your tongue, my scolding minnie;
For I’ll cast of my silks and kilt my coats,
And muck the byres wi Richie Story.’