"If I had been wise, and had ta'en advice,5
And dane as my bonny love bade me,
I would hae been married at Martinmas,
And been wi' my rantin' laddie.
"But I was na wise, I took nae advice,
Did not as my bonny love bade me,10
And now I maun sit by mysel' i' the nook,
And rock my bastard baby.
"If I had horse at my command,
As often I had many,
I would ride on to the Castle o' Aboyne,15
Wi' a letter to my rantin' laddie."
Down the stair her father came,
And looked proud and saucy;
"Who is the man, and what is his name,
That ye ca' your rantin' laddie?20
"Is he a lord, or is he a laird,
Or is he but a caddie?
Or is it the young Earl o' Aboyne,
That ye ca' your rantin' laddie?"
"He is a young and noble lord,25
He never was a caddie;
It is the noble Earl o' Aboyne
That I ca' my rantin' laddie."
"Ye shall hae a horse at your command,
As ye had often many,30
To go to the Castle o' Aboyne,
Wi' a letter to your rantin' laddie."
"Where will I get a little page,
Where will I get a caddie,
That will run quick to bonny Aboyne,35
Wi' this letter to my rantin' laddie?"