"A fragment of Young Tamlane," Kinloch MSS, V, 391. In Dr John Hill Burton's handwriting, and perhaps from the recitation of Mrs Robertson (Christian Leslie), mother of Dr Joseph Robertson.
* * * * *
1
'The night, the night is Halloween,
Tomorrow's Hallowday,
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
2
'The night, the night is Halloween,
Our seely court maun ride,
Thro England and thro Ireland both,
And a' the warld wide.
* * * * *
3
'The firsten court that comes ye bye,
You'll lout, and let them gae;
The seconden court that comes you bye,
You'll hail them reverently.
4
'The thirden court that comes you by,
Sae weel's ye will me ken,
For some will be on a black, a black,
And some will be on a brown,
But I will be on a bluid-red steed,
And will ride neist the queen.
5
'The thirden court that comes you bye,
Sae weel's ye will me ken,
For I'll be on a bluid-red steed,
Wi three stars on his crown.
6
'Ye'll tak the horse head in yer hand,
And grip the bridle fast;
The Queen o Elfin will gie a cry,
"True Tamas is stown awa!"
7
'And I will grow in your twa hands
An adder and an eel;
But the grip ye get ye'll hold it fast,
I'll be father to yer chiel.