He leapt on a horse, and she on another,
Aye as the gowans grow gay;
And they rode on to the greenwood together,
The first morning in May.
25 "Light down, light down, lady Isabel," said he,
Aye as the gowans grow gay;
"We are come to the place where ye are to die,"
The first morning in May.
"Ha'e mercy, ha'e mercy, kind sir, on me,"
30 Aye as the gowans grow gay;
"Till ance my dear father and mother I see,"
The first morning in May.
"Seven king's-daughters here hae I slain,"
Aye as the gowans grow gay;
35 "And ye shall be the eight o' them,"
The first morning in May.
"O sit down a while, lay your head on my knee,"
Aye as the gowans grow gay;
"That we may hae some rest before that I die,"
40 The first morning in May.
She stroak'd him sae fast, the nearer he did creep,
Aye as the gowans grow gay;
Wi' a sma' charm she lull'd him fast asleep,
The first morning in May.
45 "Wi' his ain sword belt sae fast as she ban' him,
Aye as the gowans grow gay;
With his ain dag-durk sae sair as she dang him,
The first morning in May.
"If seven kings' daughters here ye ha'e slain,"
50 Aye as the gowans grow gay,
"Lye ye here, a husband to them a',"
The first morning in May.