Kinloch's Manuscripts, I, 27. From Mrs. Bouchart, an old lady
native of Forfarshire.
| 1 |
There war three bonnie boys playing at the ba,
Hech hey and a lily gay
There cam three ladies to view them a'.
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 2 |
The first ane was clad in red:
Hech hey and a lily gay
'O,' says he, 'ye maun be my bride.'
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 3 |
The next o them was clad in green:
Hech hey and a lily gay
'O,' says he, 'ye maun be my queen.'
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 4 |
The tither o them was clad in yellow:
Hech hey and a lily gay
'O,' says he, 'ye maun be my marrow.'
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 5 |
'Ye maun gang to my father's bouer,
Hech hey and a lily gay
To see gin your bride he'll let me be.'
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 6 |
Her father led her doun the stair,
Hech hey and a lily gay
Her mither at her back did bear.
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 7 |
Her sister Jess led her out the closs,
Hech hey and a lily gay
Her brother John set her on the horse.
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 8 |
She loutit doun to gie him a kiss;
Hech hey and a lily gay
He struck his penknife thro her breist.
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 9 |
'Ride on, ride on,' says the foremaist man;
Hech hey and a lily gay
'I think our bride looks pale and wan.'
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 10 |
'Ride on, ride on,' says the merry bride-groom;
Hech hey and a lily gay
'I think my bride's blude is rinnin doun.'
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 11 |
'O gin I war at yon bonnie hill,
Hech hey and a lily gay
I wad lie doun and bleed my fill!
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 12 |
'O gin I war at yon bonnie kirk-yard,
Hech hey and a lily gay
I wad mak my testament there!'
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 13 |
'What will ye leave to your father dear?'
Hech hey and a lily gay
'The milk-white steed that brocht me here.'
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 14 |
'What will ye leave to your mother dear?'
Hech hey and a lily gay
'The bluidy robes that I do wear.'
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 15 |
'What will ye leave to your sister Ann?'
Hech hey and a lily gay
'My silken snood and gowden fan.'
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 16 |
'What will ye leave to your sister Jess?'
Hech hey and a lily gay
'The bonnie lad that I loe best.'
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 17 |
'What will ye leave to your brother John?'
Hech hey and a lily gay
'The gallows pin to hang him on.'
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 18 |
'What will ye leave to your brother John's wife?'
Hech hey and a lily gay
'Sorrow and trouble a' her life.'
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
| 19 |
'What will ye leave to your brother's bairns?'
Hech hey and a lily gay
'The warld's wide, and let them beg.'
And the rose it smells sae sweetlie |
