1 It's Lamkin was a mason good
as ever built wi stane;
He built Lord Wearie's castle,
but payment got he nane.
2 'O pay me, Lord Wearie,
come, pay me my fee:'
'I canna pay you, Lamkin,
for I maun gang oer the sea.'
3 'O pay me now, Lord Wearie,
come, pay me out o hand:'
'I canna pay you, Lamkin,
unless I sell my land.'
4 'O gin ye winna pay me,
I here sall mak a vow,
Before that ye come hame again,
ye sall hae cause to rue.'
5 Lord Wearie got a bonny ship,
to sail the saut sea faem;
Bade his lady weel the castle keep,
ay till he should come hame.
6 But the nourice was a fause limmer
as eer hung on a tree;
She laid a plot wi Lamkin,
whan her lord was oer the sea.
7 She laid a plot wi Lamkin,
when the servants were awa,
Loot him in at a little shot-window,
and brought him to the ha.
8 'O whare's a' the men o this house,
that ca me Lamkin?'
'They're at the barn-well thrashing;
'twill be lang ere they come in.'
9 And whare's the women o this house,
that ca me Lamkin?'
'They're at the far well washing;
'twill be lang ere they come in.'
10 'And whare's the bairns o this house,
that ca me Lamkin?'
'They're at the school reading;
'twill be night or they come hame.'