The first copy seems to be the earlier, and that which was transcribed into the MS. to have been slightly edited, but the variations are few, mostly spellings. The first copy has no title. The title of the second is altered from The Braes of Yarrow to The Dowie Glens of Yarrow. At the end of the second is this note: This song I took down from Marion Miller in Threepwood, in the Parish of Melrose. The air was plaintive and extremely wild. I consider this song more valuable on account that Mern had never sung it to any but myself for fifteen years, and she had almost said, or rather promised, that she would never sing it to another.
Thoro, 11, etc., is spelt Thorough, Thorrough, in the first copy, Thorough, Thorrough, Thorro, Thoro, in the second; but in the latter ugh is struck out wherever it occurs.
43. thrusty, in both; i.e., trusty.
113. the (birks) heather green, in both.
First. 52, 171, 181. oh, Oh.
Second. 52. What she had neer done before, O.
62, 192. was filled wi.
91. Five he. 92. nae. 93. steed.
122. to your.
182. wi for in.