"I thank you, my girl, I thank you, my girl,
I thank you heartily;
If I live seven years about this house,
Rewarded you shall be."70
She serv'd them up, she serv'd them down,
With the wheat bread and the wine;
But aye she drank the cauld water,
To keep her colour fine.
She serv'd them up, she serv'd them down,
With the wheat bread and the beer;75
But aye she drank the cauld water,
To keep her colour clear.
When bells were rung and mass was sung,
And all were boune for rest,80
Fair Annie laid her sons in bed,
And a sorrowfu' woman she was.
"Will I go to the salt, salt seas,
And see the fishes swim?
Or will I go to the gay green wood,85
And hear the small birds sing?"
Out and spoke an aged man,
That stood behind the door,—
"Ye will not go to the salt, salt seas,
To see the fishes swim;90
Nor will ye go to the gay green wood,
To hear the small birds sing:
"But ye'll take a harp into your hand,
Go to their chamber door,
And aye ye'll harp and aye ye'll murn,95
With the salt tears falling o'er."
She's ta'en a harp into her hand,
Went to their chamber door,
And aye she harped and aye she murn'd,
With the salt tears falling o'er.100
Out and spak the brisk young bride,
In bride-bed where she lay,—
"I think I hear my sister Annie,
And I wish weel it may;
For a Scotish lord staw her awa,105
And an ill death may he die."