SKIŒN ANNA; FAIR ANNIE, See p. [191].
Translated in Jamieson's Popular Ballads, ii. 103, from Syv's Kjœmpe Viser. See another copy in Nyerup's Danske Viser, iv. 59.
The reivers they wad a stealing gang,
To steal sae far frae hame;
And stown ha'e they the king's daughter,
Fair Annie hight by name.
They've carried her into fremmit lands,5
To a duke's son of high degree;
And he has gie'n for Fair Annie
Mickle goud and white money.
And eight lang years o' love sae leal
Had past atween them twae;10
And now a bonny bairntime
O' seven fair sons had they.
That lord he was of Meckelborg land,
Of princely blood and stemme;
And for his worth and curtesy15
That lord a king became.
But little wist that noble king,
As little his barons bald,
That it was the king of England's daughter,
Had sae to him been sald!20
And eight lang years sae past and gane,
Fair Annie now may rue;
For now she weets in fremmit lands
Anither bride he'll wooe.
Fair Annie's till his mither gane;25
Fell low down on her knee;
"A boon, a boon, now lady mither,
Ye grant your oys and me!