F
a. Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland, I, 183. b. The Borderer's Table Book, VII, 178, communicated by J. H. Dixon; "transcribed from a MS. copy in possession of an antiquarian friend," collated with a.
1 'O we were seven brave sisters,
Five of us died wi child,
And nane but you and I, Maisry,
So we'll gae maidens mild.'
2 'O had your tongue, now Lady Margaret,
Let a' your folly be;
I'll gar you keep your true promise
To the lad ayont the sea.'
3 'O there is neither lord nor knight
My love shall ever won,
Except it be Lord Darlington,
And here he winna come.'
4 But when the hour o twall was past,
And near the hour o one,
Lord Darlington came to the yetts,
Wi thirty knights and ten.
5 Then he has wedded Lady Margaret,
And brought her oer the sea,
And there was nane that lived on earth
Sae happy as was she.
6 But when nine months were come and gane
Strong travailling took she,
And nae physician in the land
Could ease her maladie.
7 'Where will I get a little wee boy,
Will won baith meat and fee,
That will gae on to Seaton's yetts,
Bring my mother to me?'