15 'I wish my wife and bairns
may be all well at hame;
For the buttons on my waistcoat
they winna bide on.
16 'I wish my wife and family
may be all well at home;
For the rings upon my fingers
they winna bide on.'
* * * * *
17 He has kindled a big bane-fire,
in the middle o the closs,
And he has burned Bauld Rankin,
likewise the fause nurse.
I
Skene MSS, p. 75, North of Scotland, 1802-03.
1 Lanckin was as guid a mason
as ever did use stane;
He biggit Lord Murray's house,
an payment neer got nane.
2 It fell ance on a day
Lord Murray went frae hame,
An Lankin came to the fause nourice,
. . . . . . .
* * * * *
3 'O still my bairn, nourice,
still him wi the knife:'
'He winna still, lady,
Tho I should lay down my life.'