Says, "Will ye be a rank robber's wife,45
Eh vow bonnie,
Or will ye die by my wee penknife,"
On the bonnie banks o' Fordie?
"I'll not be a rank robber's wife,
Eh vow bonnie,50
Nor will I die by your wee penknife,
On the bonnie banks o' Fordie.
"For I hae a brother in this wood,
Eh vow bonnie,
And gin ye kill me, it's he'll kill thee,"55
On the bonnie banks o' Fordie.
"What's thy brother's name? come tell to me,"
Eh vow bonnie;
"My brother's name is Babylon,"
On the bonnie banks o' Fordie.60
"O sister, sister, what have I done,
Eh vow bonnie?
O have I done this ill to thee,
On the bonnie banks o' Fordie?
"O since I've done this evil deed,65
Eh vow bonnie,
Good sall never be seen o' me,"
On the bonnie banks o' Fordie.
He's taken out his wee penknife,
Eh vow bonnie,70
And he's twyned himsel o' his ain sweet life,
On the bonnie banks o' Fordie.