"This ballad is probably much more than a century old, though the circumstances which have given rise to it were fortunately too common to preclude the possibility of its being of a later date. Although evidently founded on fact, the editor has not hitherto discovered the particular circumstances out of which it has originated."
Four and twenty Highland men
Came a' from Carrie side,
To steal awa' Eppie Morrie,
'Cause she would not be a bride.
Out it's cam her mother,5
It was a moonlight night,
She could not see her daughter.
The sands they shin'd so bright.
"Haud far awa' frae me, mother,
Haud far awa' frae me;10
There's not a man in a' Strathdon
Shall wedded be with me."
They have taken Eppie Morrie,
And horseback bound her on,
And then awa' to the minister,15
As fast as horse could gang.
He's taken out a pistol,
And set it to the minister's breast;
"Marry me, marry me, minister,
Or else I'll be your priest."20
"Haud far awa' frae me, good sir,
Haud far awa' frae me;
For there's not a man in a' Strathdon
That shall married be with me."
"Haud far awa' frae me, Willie,25
Haud far awa' frae me;
For I darna avow to marry you,
Except she's as willing as ye."
They have taken Eppie Morrie,
Since better could nae be,30
And they're awa' to Carrie side,
As fast as horse could flee.