There was horsing, horsing in haste,45
And there was marching upon the lee,
Until they cam to Dumfries port,
And they lighted there right speedilie.
"There's five of us will hold the horse,
And other five will watchmen be:"50
"But wha's the man among ye a',
Will gae to the Tolbooth door wi' me?"
O up then spak him mettled John Hall,
(Frae the Laigh Teviotdale was he,)
"If it should cost my life this very night,55
I'll gae to the Tolbooth door wi' thee."
"Be of gude cheir, now, Archie, lad,
Be of gude cheir, now, dear billie!
Work thou within, and we without,
And the morn thou'se dine at Ca'field wi' me."
O Jockie Hall stepp'd to the door,61
And he bended low back his knee,
And he made the bolts, the door hang on,
Loup frae the wa' right wantonlie.
He took the prisoner on his back,65
And down the Tolbooth stair cam he:
The black mare stood ready at the door,
I wot a foot ne'er stirred she.
They laid the links out owre her neck,
And that was her [gold twist] to be;70
And they cam doun thro' Dumfries toun,
And wow but they cam speedilie!
The live-lang night these twelve men rade,
And aye till they were right wearie,
Until they cam to the Murraywhate,75
And they lighted there right speedilie.