"Willie's fair, and Willie's rare,
And Willie's wond'rous bonny;
There's nane wi' him that can compare,
I love him best of ony."
On Wednesday, that fatal day,25
The people were convening;
Besides all this, threescore and ten,
To gang to the bridesteel wi' him.
"Ride on, ride on, my merry men a',
I've forgot something behind me;30
I've forgot to get my mother's blessing,
To gae to the bridesteel wi' me."
"Your Peggy she's but bare fifteen,
And ye are scarcely twenty;
The water o' Gamery is wide and braid,35
My heavy curse gang wi' thee!"
Then they rode on, and further on,
Till they came on to Gamery;
The wind was loud, the stream was proud,
And wi' the stream gaed Willie.40
Then they rode on, and further on,
Till they came to the kirk o' Gamery;
And every one on high horse sat,
But Willie's horse rade toomly.
When they were settled at that place,45
The people fell a mourning;
And a council held amo' them a',
But sair, sair wept Kinmundy.
Then out it speaks the bride hersell,
Says, "What means a' this mourning?50
Where is the man amo' them a',
That shou'd gie me fair wedding?"
Then out it speaks his brother John,
Says, "Meg, I'll tell you plainly;
The stream was strong, the clerk rade wrong,55
And Willie's drown'd in Gamery."