And they begoud at eight of the morn,
And they fought on till three;160
When the [Italian], like a swallow swift,
Owre Johnie's head did flee:
But Johnie being a clever young boy,
He wheeled him round about;
And on the point of Johnie's broad-sword,165
The [Italian] he slew out.
"A priest, a priest," fair Johnie cried,
"To wed my love and me;"
"A clerk, a clerk," her father cried,
"To sum her tocher free."170
"I'll hae none of your gold," fair Johnie cried,
"Nor none of your other gear;
But I will have my own fair bride,
For this day I've won her dear."
He's ta'en his true love by the hand,175
He led her up the plain:
"Have you any more of your English dogs
You want for to have slain?"
He put a little horn to his mouth,
He blew 't baith loud and shill;180
And honour is into Scotland gone,
In spite of England's skill.
He put his little horn to his mouth,
He blew it owre again;
And aye the sound the horn cryed185
Was "Johnie and his men!"