E
Joseph Robertson, “Adversaria,” p. 66; noted down from a female servant, July 15, 1829.
1
It was a king, and a verra greit king,
An a king o muckle fame,
An he had a luvelie dauchter fair,
An Dysie was her name.
2
She fell in love wi the kitchie-boy,
An a verra bonnie boy was he,
An word has gane till her father dear,
An an angry man was he.
3
‘Is it the laird? or is it the lord?
Or a man o high degree?
Or is it to Robin, the kitchie-boy?
O Dysie mak nae lee.’
4
‘It’s nae the laird, nor is it the lord,
Nor a man o high degree,
But it’s to Robin, the kitchie-boy;
What occasion hae I to lee?’
5
‘If it be to Robin, the kitchie-boy,
As I trust weel it be,
The morn, afore ye eat meal or drink,
Ye’ll see him hanged hie.’
6
They have taen Robin out,
His hair was like threads o gold;
That verra day afore it was night,
Death made young Dysie cold.
B. Written without division into stanzas or verses.
32. to bed.
84. didde lea.
C. “Mary Johnston, our dairymaid at Hoddam Castle, used to sing this. It had a very pretty air, and some more verses which I have now forgot.” Sharpe’s Ballad-Book, 1880, p. 128.
D. A little scotticized by Buchan in printing, and still more by Dixon.
92. tasse is tarse in my transcript; probably miscopied.