"O borrow me brother, borrow me,—
O borrow'd shall I never be;
For I gart kill my ain gude lord,
And life is nae pleasure to me."
In it came her mother dear,65
I wyte a sorry woman was she;
"I wou'd gie my white monie and gowd,
O bonny Jean, to borrow thee."
"Borrow me mother, borrow me,—
O borrow'd shall I never be;70
For I gart kill my ain gude lord,
And life's now nae pleasure to me."
Then in it came her father dear,
I wyte a sorry man was he;
Says, "Ohon, alas! my bonny Jean,75
If I had you at hame wi' me.
"Seven daughters I ha'e left at hame,
As fair women as fair can be;
But I wou'd gi'e them ane by ane,
O bonny Jean, to borrow thee."80
"O borrow me father, borrow me,—
O borrow'd shall I never be;
I that is worthy o' the death,
It is but right that I shou'd dee."
Then out it speaks the king himsell,85
And aye as he steps in the fleer;
Says, "I grant you your life, lady,
Because you are of tender year."
"A boon, a boon, my liege the king,
The boon I ask, ye'll grant to me:"90
"Ask on, ask on, my bonny Jean,
Whate'er ye ask it's granted be."
"Cause take me out at night, at night,
Lat not the sun upon me shine;
And take me to yon heading hill,95
Strike aff this dowie head o' mine.