"What is the matter, ye keepers all,
Or what's the matter within,
That the drums do beat, and bells do ring,95
And make sic dolefu' din?"
"There's naething the matter," the keeper said,
"There's naething the matter to thee;
But a weighty Scot to strait the rope,
And the morn he maun die."100
"O open the yetts, ye proud keepers,
Ye'll open without delay;"
The trembling keeper smiling said,
"O I hae not the key."
"Ye'll open the yetts, ye proud keepers,105
Ye'll open without delay;
Or here is a body at my back
Frae Scotland hae brought the key."
"Ye'll open the yetts," says Jock o' Noth,
"Ye'll open them at my call;"110
Then wi' his foot he has drove in
Three yards braid o' the wall.
As they gaed in by Drury-lane,
And down by the town's hall;
And there they saw young Johnny Moir,115
Stand on their English wall.
"Ye're welcome here, my uncle dear,
Ye're welcome unto me;
Ye'll loose the knot, and slack the rope,
And set me frae the tree."120
"Is it for murder, or for theft?
Or is it for robberie?
If it is for ony heinous crime,
There's nae remeid for thee."
"It's nae for murder, nor for theft,125
Nor yet for robberie;
A' is for the loving a gay lady,
They're gaun to gar me die."