1
There war three bonnie boys playing at the ba,
Hech hey and a lily gay
There cam three ladies to view them a'.
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie
2
The first ane was clad in red:
'O,' says he, 'ye maun be my bride.'
3
The next o them was clad in green:
'O,' says he, 'ye maun be my queen.'
4
The tither o them was clad in yellow:
'O,' says he, 'ye maun be my marrow.'
5
'Ye maun gang to my father's bouer,
To see gin your bride he'll let me be.'
6
Her father led her doun the stair,
Her mither at her back did bear.
7
Her sister Jess led her out the closs,
Her brother John set her on the horse.
8
She loutit doun to gie him a kiss;
He struck his penknife thro her breist.
9
'Ride on, ride on,' says the foremaist man;
'I think our bride looks pale and wan.'
10
'Ride on, ride on,' says the merry bridegroom;
'I think my bride's blude is rinnin doun.'