He has broke three ribs in that ane's side,
But and his collar bane;70
He's laid him twa-fald ower his steed,
Bade him carry the tidings hame.
"O is there nae a bonnie bird
Can sing as I can say,
Could flee away to my mother's bower,75
And tell to fetch Johnie away?"
The starling flew to his mother's window stane,
It whistled and it sang;
And aye the ower word o' the tune
Was—"Johnie tarries lang!"80
They made a rod o' the hazel bush,
Another o' the slae-thorn tree,
And mony mony were the men
At fetching o'er Johnie.
Then out and spake his auld mother,85
And fast her tears did fa'—
"Ye wad nae be warn'd, my son Johnie,
Frae the hunting to bide awa'.
"Aft hae I brought to Breadislee
The less gear and the mair,90
But I ne'er brought to Breadislee
What grieved my heart sae sair.
"But wae betyde that silly auld carle!
An ill death shall he die!
For the highest tree in Merriemas95
Shall be his morning's fee."
Now Johnie's gude bend bow is broke,
And his gude graie dogs are slain;
And his bodie lies dead in Durrisdeer,
And his hunting it is done.100