Kinloch Manuascripts, V, 283, 41,
from Mary Barr, Clydesdale.
| 1 |
Willie and Fair Janet
Sat a' day on yon hill;
And Janet she took sair pains,
And O but she grew ill. |
| 2 |
'Fetch a woman to me, Willie,
O fetch a woman to me,
For without the help of woman, Willie,
Surely I will dee.' |
| 3 |
'O tie a napkin on my face,
That naething I may see,
And what can a woman do, Janet,
But I will do for thee?'
* * * * * |
| 4 |
She was na scarcely brought to bed,
Nor yet laid on her side,
Till in and cam her father there,
Crying, Fy, gae busk the bride. |
| 5 |
'A wearyed bride am I, father,
A wearyed bride am I;
Must I gae wed that southlan lord,
And let Sweet Willie abe?'
* * * * * |
| 6 |
'Now chuse, now chuse now, Fair Janet,
What shall your cleeding be;
Now chuse, now chuse now, Fair Janet,
And I will gie it to thee. |
| 7 |
'Whether will you hae it of the berry brown,
Or of the holland green;
Or will you hae it of the crimson red,
Most lovely to be seen?' |
| 8 |
'I will not hae't of the berry brown,
Nor yet o the holly green;
But I will hae't of the crimson red,
Most lovely to be seen.' |
| 9 |
'Now chuse, now chuse now, Fair Janet,
What man you'll ride behind:'
'O wha sae fitting as Sweet Willie?
He'll fit my saddle fine.' |
| 10 |
O they rode on, and they rode on,
Till they cam to Merrytown green;
But Sweet Willie and Fair Janet
Cam aye hoolie ahin. |
| 11 |
O whan they cam to Merrytown,
And lighted on the green,
Monie a bluidy aith was sworn
That our bride was wi bairn. |
| 12 |
Out and spake the bonny bride,
And she swore by her fingers ten:
'If eer I was wi bairn in my life,
I was lighter sin yestreen.' |
| 13 |
Up and raise he the bridegroom,
Says, Bride, will ye dance wi me?
'Dance on, dance on, bridegroom,' she says,
'For I'll dance nane wi thee.' |
| 14 |
Up and raise her father then,
Says, Bride, will ye dance wi me?
'Dance on, my father,' she replied,
'I pray thee let me be.' |
| 15 |
Then up and raise he Sweet Willie,
And he had meikle pride:
'I'll lay my gloves in the bride's han,
And I'll dance for the bride.' |
| 16 |
'O no, O no, O Sweet Willie,
O no, that shall na be;
For I will dance wi thee, Willie,
Tho my back should fa in three.' |
| 17 |
She had na run a reel, a reel,
A reel but barely three,
Till pale and wan grew Fair Janet,
And her head took Willie's knee. |
| 18 |
Out and spake then the bridegroom,
And he spake wi great scorn:
'There's not a bell in Merrytown kirk
Shall ring for her the morn.' |
| 19 |
Out and spak he Sweet Willie,
And his heart was almost gane:
''Tis a the bells in Merrytown kirk
Shall ring for her the morn.' |
| 20 |
Willie was buried in Mary's kirk,
etc., etc., etc. |
