a. Buchan's MSS, II, 98. b. Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland, II, 222.
1
It fell ance upon a day,
Edinburgh, Edinburgh
It fell ance upon a day,
Stirling for aye
It fell ance upon a day
The clerk and lady went to play.
So proper Saint Johnston stands fair upon Tay
2
'If my baby be a son,
I'll make him a lord of high renown.'
3
She's leand her back to the wa,
Prayd that her pains might fa.
4
She's leand her back to the thorn,
There was her baby born.
5
'O bonny baby, if ye suck sair,
You'll never suck by my side mair.'
6
She's riven the muslin frae her head,
Tied the baby hand and feet.
7
Out she took her little pen-knife,
Twind the young thing o its sweet life.
8
She's howked a hole anent the meen,
There laid her sweet baby in.
9
She had her to her father's ha,
She was the meekest maid amang them a'.