Campbell MSS, I, 57.
1 Johnnie Scott's a hunting gane,
To England's woods sae wild;
The fairest flower of all England
To Johnnie provd big with child.
2 It's word's going up, and word's going down,
Going to the king's bower,
That his dear daughter was with child,
That was his daily flower.
3 'If she be with child,
As I suppose she be,
I'll put her into prison strong,
And hunger her till she die.'
4 The king he wrote a letter broad,
And sealed it with his hands,
And sent it down to Johnnie Scott,
In Scotland where he stands.
5 The first line that Johnnie lookd on,
A merry man was he;
The next line that he lookd on,
The salt tears blinded his eye.
6 Out then spoke his old father,
Who neer spoke out of time:
And if you go to England, son,
I doubt your coming home.
7 Out then spoke our Scottish James,
Sitting low by Johnnie's knee:
Fifteen score of my life-guards
Shall ride in your company.
8 When Johnnie came to the king's court
He rode it round about,
And there he spied his own true-love,
From the jail-window looking out.
9 'Come down, true-love,' said Johnnie Scott,
'And now you'll ride behind me;
Before I leave fair England
Some life shall die for thee.'