My father urgit sair: my mother didna speak; But she look’d in my face till my heart was like to break: They gi’ed him my hand, but my heart was at the sea: Sae auld Robin Gray he was gudeman to me.
I hadna been a wife a week but only four, When mournfu’ as I sat on the stane at the door, I saw my Jamie’s wraith, for I couldna think it he— Till he said, ‘I’m come hame to marry thee.’
—O sair, sair did we greet, and muckle did we say; We took but ae kiss, and I bad him gang away: I wish that I were dead, but I’m no like to dee; And why was I born to say, Wae’s me!
I gang like a ghaist, and I carena to spin; I daurna think on Jamie, for that wad be a sin; But I’ll do my best a gude wife aye to be, For auld Robin Gray he is kind unto me.
Lady A. Lindsay.
[ WILLIE DROWNED IN YARROW]
Down in yon garden sweet and gay Where bonnie grows the lily, I heard a fair maid sighing say, ’My wish be wi’ sweet Willie!
’Willie’s rare, and Willie’s fair, And Willie’s wondrous bonny; And Willie hecht to marry me Gin e’er he married ony.
’O gentle wind, that bloweth south, From where my Love repaireth, Convey a kiss frae his dear mouth And tell me how he fareth!