Awa he gade, awa he rade,
Awa wi' meikle speed;50
He lichtit at every twa miles' end,
Lichtit and changed his steed.
When she entered the church style,
The tear was in her e'e;
But when she entered the church door,55
A blythe sight did she see.
"O hold your hand, you minister,
Hold it a little wee,
Till I speak wi' the bonnie bride,
For she's a friend to me.60
"Stand off, stand off, you braw bridegroom,
Stand off a little wee;
Stand off, stand off, you braw bridegroom,
For the bride shall join wi' me."
Up and spak the bride's father,65
And an angry man was he,—
"If I had pistol, powther and lead,
And all at my command,
It's I would shoot thee stiff and dead,
In the place where thou dost stand."70
Up and spoke then sweet William,
And a blithe blink from his e'e:
"If ye ne'er be shot till I shoot you,
Ye'se ne'er be shot for me.
"Come out, come out, my foremost man,75
And lift my lady on;
Commend me all to my goodmother,
At night when you gang home."