Communicated by Mr. Thomas Lugton, of Kelso,
as sung by an old cotter-woman fifty years ago;
learned by her from her grandfather.
| 1 |
Ther were three ladies playing at the ba,
Norham, down by Norham
And there cam a knight to view them a'.
By the bonnie mill-dams o Norham |
| 2 |
He courted the aldest wi diamonds and rings,
Norham, down by Norham
But he loved the youngest abune a' things.
By the bonnie mill-dams o Norham
* * * * * |
| 3 |
'Oh sister, oh sister, lend me your hand,
Norham, down by Norham
And pull my poor body unto dry land.
By the bonnie mill-dams o Norham |
| 4 |
'Oh sister, oh sister, lend me your glove,
Norham, down by Norham
And you shall have my own true love!'
By the bonnie mill-dams o Norham |
| 5 |
Oot cam the miller's daughter upon Tweed,
Norham, down by Norham
To carry in water to bake her bread.
By the bonnie mill-dams o Norham |
| 6 |
'Oh father, oh father, there's a fish in your dam;
Norham, down by Norham
It either is a lady or a milk-white swan.'
By the bonnie mill-dams o Norham |
| 7 |
Oot cam the miller's man upon Tweed,
Norham, down by Norham
And there he spied a lady lying dead.
By the bonnie mill-dams o Norham |
| 8 |
He could not catch her by the waist,
Norham, down by Norham
For her silken stays they were tight laced.
By the bonnie mill-dams o Norham |
| 9 |
But he did catch her by the hand,
Norham, down by Norham
And pulled her poor body unto dry land.
By the bonnie mill-dams o Norham |
| 10 |
He took three taets o her bonnie yellow hair,
Norham, down by Norham
To make harp strings they were so rare.
By the bonnie mill-dams o Norham |
| 11 |
The very first tune that the bonnie harp played
Norham, down by Norham
Was The aldest has cuisten the youngest away.
By the bonnie mill-dams o Norham |
