The nextan pain that strake sweet Willie,
It was into the head;
Then sighing sair said sweet Willie,
"I fear my lady's dead."40
Then he's gane on, and further on,
At the foot o' yon greenwood tree;
There he got his lady lighter,
Wi' his young son on her knee.
Then he's ta'en up his little young son,45
And kiss'd him cheek and chin;
And he is on to his mother,
As fast as he could gang.
"Ye will take in my son, mother,
Gi'e him to nurses nine;50
Three to wauk, and three to sleep,
And three to gang between."
Then he has left his mother's house,
And frae her he has gane;
And he is back to his lady,55
And safely brought her hame.
Then in it came her father dear,
Was belted in a brand;
"It's nae time for brides to lye in bed,
When the bridegroom's send's in town.60
"There are four-and-twenty noble lords
A' lighted on the green;
The fairest knight amang them a',
He must be your bridegroom."
"O wha will shoe my foot, my foot?65
And wha will glove my hand?
And wha will prin my sma' middle,
Wi' the short prin and the lang?"
Now out it speaks him, sweet Willie,
Who knew her troubles best;70
"It is my duty for to serve,
As I'm come here as guest.