"O room ye round, my bonny brown steeds,105
O room ye near the wa';
For the pain that strikes me through my sides
Full soon will gar me fa'."
She lean'd her back against the wa';
Strong travel came her on;110
And e'en amang the great horse feet
Burd Ellen brought forth her son.
Lord Johnis mither intill her bower
Was sitting all alane,
When, in the silence o' the nicht,115
She heard Burd Ellen's mane.
"Won up, won up, my son," she says,
"Gae see how a' does fare;
For I think I hear a woman's groans,
And a bairnie greetin' sair."120
O hastily he gat him up,
Staid neither for hose nor shoon,
And he's doen him to the stable door
Wi' the clear light o' the moon.
He strack the door hard wi' his foot,125
Sae has he wi' his knee,
And iron locks and iron bars
Into the floor flung he:
"Be not afraid, Burd Ellen," he says,
"There's nane come in but me.130
"Tak up, tak up my bonny young son;
Gar wash him wi' the milk;
Tak up, tak up my fair lady,
Gar row her in the silk.
"And cheer thee up, Burd Ellen," he says,135
"Look nae mair sad nor wae;
For your marriage and your kirkin too
Sall baith be in ae day."