Communicated by Dr Thomas Davidson, as learned from his aunt at Old Deer, about 185
1 Lord John stands in his stable-door,
Just on his way to ride;
Lady Ellen stands in her bower-door,
Says, Bide, Lord John, abide!
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2 He did ride, and she did run,
A lief-lang simmer's day,
Until they came till a wan water,
That a' man did ca Tay.
3 The first step that she steppit in,
She steppit tae the cweet;
An sichan said that gay lady,
I fear this water's deep!
4 The next step that she steppit in,
She steppit tae the knee;
An sichan said that gay lady,
This water's deep for me!
5 Lord John hield down his high horse head,
Said, Lady, will ye ride?
'O no! O no! kind sir,' she said,
'I'll rather choose tae wide.'
6 The next step that she steppit in,
She steppit tae the chin;
An sichan said that gay lady,
I'll wide nae farrer in.
7 The firsten town that they cam till,
She got a leash o huns tae lead,
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
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