WILLIE AND MAY MARGARET.
A fragment obtained by Jamieson from the recitation of Mrs. Brown, of Falkland. Popular Ballads, i. 135. In connection with this we give the complete story from Buchan. Aytoun has changed the title to The Mother's Malison. An Italian ballad, containing a story similar to that of this ballad and the two following (but of independent origin), is La Maledizione Materna, in Marcoaldi's Canti Popolari, p. 170.
"Gie corn to my horse, mither;
Gie meat unto my man;
For I maun gang to Margaret's bower,
Before the nicht comes on."
"O stay at hame now, my son Willie!5
The wind blaws cald and sour;
The nicht will be baith mirk and late,
Before ye reach her bower."
"O tho' the nicht were ever sae dark,
Or the wind blew never sae cald,10
I will be in my Margaret's bower
Before twa hours be tald."
"O gin ye gang to May Margaret,
Without the leave of me,
Clyde's water's wide and deep enough;—15
My malison drown thee!"
He mounted on his coal-black steed,
And fast he rade awa';
But, ere he came to Clyde's water,
Fu' loud the wind did blaw.20
As he rode o'er yon hich, hich hill,
And down yon dowie den,
There was a roar in Clyde's water
Wad fear'd a hunder men.
His heart was warm, his pride was up;25
Sweet Willie kentna fear;
But yet his mither's malison
Ay sounded in his ear.