But he lo’ed the youngest abune a’ thing.
He courted the eldest wi’ broach and knife;
But he lo’ed the youngest as his life. 10
The eldest she was vexèd sair,
And sore envied her sister fair.
And it fell once upon a day,
The eldest to the youngest did say:
‘Oh, sister, come to the sea-strand, 15
And see our father’s ships come to land.
She’s ta’en her by the milk-white hand,