O four and twenty gay ladies
Welcom'd lord John to the green;70
But a fairer lady than them a'
At the manger stood alane.
When bells were rung, and mass was sung,
And a' men boun to meat,
Burd Ellen was at the bye-table75
Amang the pages set.
"O eat and drink, my bonny boy,
The white bread and the beer."—
"The never a bit can I eat or drink,
My heart's sae fu' o' fear."80
"O eat and drink, my bonny boy,
The white bread and the wine."
—
"O how sall I eat or drink, master,
Wi' heart sae fu' o' pine?"
But out and spak lord John's mother,85
And a wise woman was she:
"Whare met ye wi' that bonny boy,
That looks sae sad on thee?
Sometimes his cheek is rosy red,
And sometimes deadly wan;90
He's liker a woman big wi' bairn,
Than a young lord's serving man."
"O it makes me laugh, my mother dear,
Sic words to hear frae thee;
He is a squire's ae dearest son,95
That for love has followed me.
"Rise up, rise up, my bonny boy,
Gi'e my horse corn and hay."—
"O that I will, my master dear,
As quickly as I may."100
She's ta'en the hay under her arm,
The corn intill her hand,
And she's gane to the great stable,
As fast as e'er she can.