Then on we held for Carlisle toun, And at Staneshaw-bank the Eden we cross’d; The water was great and meikle of spait, But the niver a horse nor man we lost.
And when we reach’d the Staneshaw-bank, The wind was rising loud and hie; And there the laird garr’d leave our steeds, For fear that they should stamp and nie.
And when we left the Staneshaw-bank, The wind began full loud to blaw; But ’twas wind and weet, and fire and sleet, When we came beneath the castle wa’.
We crept on knees, and held our breath, Till we placed the ladders against the wa’; And sae ready was Buccleuch himsell To mount the first, before us a’.
He has ta’en the watchman by the throat, He flung him down upon the lead— ‘Had there not been peace between our lands, Upon the other side thou hadst gaed!
‘Now sound out, trumpets!’ quo’ Buccleuch; ‘Let’s waken Lord Scroope right merrilie!’ Then loud the warden’s trumpet blew— ‘O wha dare meddle wi’ me?’
Then speedilie to work we gaed, And raised the slogan ane and a’, And cut a hole thro’ a sheet of lead, And so we wan to the castle ha’.
They thought King James and a’ his men Had won the house wi’ bow and spear; It was but twenty Scots and ten, That put a thousand in sic a stear!
Wi’ coulters, and wi’ fore-hammers, We garr’d the bars bang merrilie, Until we cam to the inner prison, Where Willie o’ Kinmont he did lie.