43
'O we were sisters, sisters seven,
We was the fairest under heaven.
44
'We had nae mair for our seven years wark
But to shape an suc the king's son a sark.
45
'O it fell on a Saturday's afternoon,
Whan a' our langsome wark was dane,
46
'We keist the cavils us amang,
To see which shoud to the greenwood gang.
47
'Ohone, alas! for I was youngest,
An ay my wierd it was the hardest.
48
'The cavil it did on me fa,
Which was the cause of a' my wae.
49
'For to the greenwood I must gae,
To pu the nut but an the slae;
50
'To pu the red rose an the thyme,
To strew my mother's bowr and mine.
51
'I had na pu'd a flowr but ane,
Till by there came a jelly hind greeme,
52
'Wi high-colld hose an laigh-colld shoone,
An he 'peard to be some kingis son.