1 'O I have seven bold brethren,
And they are all valiant men,
If they knew a man that would tread my bower
His life should not go along wi him.'
2 'Then take me up into your arms,
And lay me low down on your bed,
That ye may swear, and keep your oath clear,
That your bower-room I did na tread.
3 'Tie a handkerchief round your face,
And you must tye it wondrous keen,
That you may swear, and keep your oath clear,
Ye saw na me since late yestreen.'
4 But they were scarsley gone to bed,
Nor scarse fa'n owre asleep,
Till up and started her seven brethren,
Just at Lord Saunders' feet.
5 Out bespoke the first brither,
'Oh but love be wondrous keen!'
Out bespoke the second brither,
'It's ill done to kill a sleeping man.'
6 Out bespoke the third brither,
'We had better gae and let him be;'
Out bespoke the fourth brither,
'He'll no be killd this night for me:'
7 Out bespoke the fifth brother,
'This night Lord Saunders he shall die;
Tho there were not a man in all Scotland,
This night Lord Saunders he shall die.'
8 He took out a rousty rapier,
And he drew it three times thro the strae;
Between Lord Saunders' short rib and his side
He gard the rusty rapier gae.
9 'Awake, awake, Lord Saunders,' she said,
'Awake, awake, for sin and shame!
For the day is light, and the sun shines bricht,
And I am afraid we will be taen.
10 'Awake, awake, Lord Saunders,' she said,
'Awake, awake, for sin and shame!
For the sheets they are asweat,' she said,
'And I am afraid we will be taen.