He courted the eldest with broach and knife,
Binnorie, O Binnorie;10
But he lo'ed the youngest abune his life;
By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
The eldest she was vexed sair,
Binnorie, O Binnorie;
And sore envied her sister fair;15
By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
The eldest said to the youngest ane,
Binnorie, O Binnorie;
"Will ye go and see our father's ships come in?"
By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.20
She's ta'en her by the lily hand,
Binnorie, O Binnorie;
And led her down to the river strand;
By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
The youngest stude upon a stane,25
Binnorie, O Binnorie;
The eldest came and pushed her in;
By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
She took her by the middle sma',
Binnorie, O Binnorie;30
And dash'd her bonny back to the jaw;
By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
"O sister, sister, reach your hand,
Binnorie, O Binnorie;
And ye shall be heir of half my land."—35
By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
"O sister, I'll not reach my hand,
Binnorie, O Binnorie;
And I'll be heir of all your land;
By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.40
"Shame fa' the hand that I should take,
Binnorie, O Binnorie;
It's twin'd me and my world's make."—
By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.