The first line of the letter Johnie read,
A loud, loud lauch leuch he;
But he had not read ae line but twa,55
Till the saut tears did blind his ee.
"O I must up to England go,
Whatever me betide,
For to relieve mine own fair ladie,
That lay last by my side."60
Then up and spak Johnie's auld mither,
A weel spoke woman was she:
"If you do go to England, Johnie,
I may take fareweel o' thee."
And out and spak his father then,65
And he spak well in time:
"If thou unto fair England go,
I fear ye'll ne'er come hame."
But out and spak his uncle then,
And he spak bitterlie:70
"Five hundred of my good life-guards
Shall bear him companie."
When they were all on saddle set,
They were comely to behold;
The hair that hung owre Johnie's neck shined75
Like the links o' yellow gold.
When they were all marching away,
Most pleasant for to see,
There was not so much as a married man
In Johnie's companie.80
Johnie Scot himsell was the foremost man
In the company that did ride;
His uncle was the second man,
Wi' his rapier by his side.