19 'O I will gae back to fair Englan,
Tho death shoud me betide,
An I will relieve the damesel
That lay last by my side.'
20 Then out it spake his father dear,
My son, you are to blame;
An gin you'r catchd on English groun,
I fear you'll neer win hame.
21 Then out it spake a valiant knight,
Johny's best friend was he;
I can commaun five hunder men,
An I'll his surety be.
22 The firstin town that they came till,
They gard the bells be rung;
An the nextin town that they came till,
They gard the mess be sung.
23 The thirdin town that they came till,
They gard the drums beat roun;
The king but an his nobles a'
Was startld at the soun.
24 Whan they came to the king's palace
They rade it roun about,
An there they saw the king himsel,
At the window looking out.
25 'Is this the Duke o Albany,
Or James, the Scottish king?
Or are ye some great foreign lord,
That's come a visiting?'
26 'I'm nae the Duke of Albany,
Nor James, the Scottish king;
But I'm a valiant Scottish knight,
Pitnachton is my name.'
27 'O if Pitnachton be your name,
As I trust well it be,
The morn, or I tast meat or drink,
You shall be hanged hi.'
28 Then out it spake the valiant knight
That came brave Johney wi;
Behold five hunder bowmen bold,
Will die to set him free.