Is there ever a man in all Scotland,
From the highest estate to the lowest degree,
That can shew himself now before our King?
Scotland is so full of treachery.
Yes, there is a man in Westmorland,5
And Johnny Armstrong they do him call;
He has no lands nor rents coming in,
Yet he keeps eightscore men within his hall.
He has horses and harness for them all,
And goodly steeds that be milk-white,10
With their goodly belts about their necks,
With hats and feathers all alike.
The King he writes a loving letter,
And with his own hand so tenderly,
And hath sent it unto Johnny Armstrong,15
To come and speak with him speedily.
When John he look'd this letter upon,
He lok'd as blith as a bird in a tree;
"I was never before a King in my life,
My father, my grandfather, nor none of us three.20
"But seeing we must go before the King,
Lord, we will go most gallantly;
Ye shall every one have a velvet coat,
Laid down with golden laces three.
"And every one shall have a scarlet cloak,25
Laid down with silver laces five,
With your golden belts about your necks,
With hats and feathers all alike."
But when Johnny went from Giltnock-Hall,
The wind it blew hard, and full fast it did rain;
"Now fare thee well, thou Giltnock-Hall,30
I fear I shall never see thee again."