‘If she’s been sick, and nigh to dead,
What makes her wear the ribbon so red?
‘If she’s been sick, and like to die,
What makes her wear the gold sae high?’
When came the Carl to the lady’s yett,
He rudely, rudely rapped thereat.
‘Now where is the lady of this hall?’
‘She’s out with her maids a playing at the ball.’
‘Ha, ha, ha! ye are all mista’en,
Ye may count your maidens owre again.
‘I met her far beyond the lea
With the young Earl Brand his leman to be.’
Her father of his best men armed fifteen,
And they’re ridden after them bidene.
The lady looked owre her left shoulder then,
Says, ‘O Earl Brand we are both of us ta’en.’
‘If they come on me one by one,
You may stand by till the fights be done;
‘But if they come on me one and all,
You may stand by and see me fall.’