This news did sound thro' Lundan town,
Till it came to the king,
That the muckle Scot had fa'in in love
Wi' his daughter, Lady Jean.
When the king got word o' that,25
A solemn oath sware he;
"This weighty Scott sall strait a rope,
And hanged he shall be."
When Johnny heard the sentence past,
A light laugh then gae he;30
"While I hae strength to yield my blade,
Ye darena a' hang me."
The English dogs were cunning rogues;
About him they did creep,
And ga'e him draps o' lodomy35
That laid him fast asleep.
Whan Johnny waken'd frae his sleep,
A sorry heart had he;
His jaws and hands in iron bands,
His feet in fetters three.40
"O whar will I get a little wee boy
Will work for meat and fee,
That will rin on to my uncle,
At the foot of Benachie?"
"Here am I, a little wee boy,45
Will work for meat and fee,
That will rin on to your uncle,
At the foot of Benachie."
"Whan ye come whar grass grows green,
Slack your shoes and rin;50
And whan ye come whar water's strong,
Ye'll bend your bow and swim.
"And whan ye come to Benachie,
Ye'll neither chap nor ca';
Sae well's ye'll ken auld Johnny there,55
Three feet abeen them a'.