Then fifteen barks, all gaily good,
Met themen on a day,
Which they did lade with as much spoil
As they could bear away.
“England’s our ain by heritage;
And whae can us gainstand,
When we hae conquerd fair Scotland
Wi’ bow, buckler, and brande”—
Then they are on to th’ land o’ france,
Where auld King Edward lay,
Burning each town and castle strong
That ance cam in his way.
Untill he cam unto that town
Which some call Billop-Grace
There were old Maitlen’s sons a’ three
Learning at School alas
The eldest to the others said,
O see ye what I see
If a’ be true yon standard says,
We’re fatherless a’ three
For Scotland’s conquerd up and down
Landsmen we’ll never be:
Now will you go my brethren two,
And try some jeopardy
Then they hae saddled two black horse,
Two black horse and a grey
And they are on to Edwardes host
Before the dawn of day
When they arriv’d before the host
They hover’d on the ley
Will you lend me our King’s standard
To carry a little way
Where was thou bred where was thou born
Wherein in what country—
In the north of England I was born
What needed him to lie.
A knight me got a lady bare
I’m a squire of high renown
I well may bear’t to any king,
That ever yet wore crown.