Motherwell's Manuscript, p. 262, Motherwell's Minstrelsy, p.
186, from the recitation of Mrs. McCormick, and learned by
her in Dumbarton, from an old woman, thirty years before:
January 19, 1825.
| 1 |
Lady Marjorie, Lady Marjorie,
Sat sewing her silken seam;
By her came a pale, pale ghost,
With many a sich and mane. |
| 2 |
'Are ye my father, the king?' she says,
'Or are ye my brother John?
Or are you my true-love, Sweet William,
From England newly come?' |
| 3 |
'I'm not your father, the king,' he says,
'No, no, nor your brother John;
But I'm your true love, Sweet William,
From England that's newly come.' |
| 4 |
'Have ye brought me any scarlets so red?
Or any silks so fine?
Or have ye brought me any precious things,
That merchants have for sale?' |
| 5 |
'I have not brought you any scarlets sae red,
No, no, nor the silks so fine;
But I have brought you my winding-sheet,
Oer many's the rock and hill. |
| 6 |
'O Lady Marjory, Lady Marjory,
For faith and charitie,
Will you give to me my faith and troth,
That I gave once to thee?' |
| 7 |
'O your faith and troth I'll not give thee,
No, no, that will not I,
Until I get one kiss of your ruby lips,
And in my arms you come [lye].' |
| 8 |
'My lips they are so bitter,' he says,
'My breath it is so strong,
If you get one kiss of my ruby lips,
Your days will not be long. |
| 9 |
'The cocks they are crowing, Marjory,' he says,
'The cocks they are crawing again;
It's time the deid should part the quick,
Marjorie, I must be gane.' |
| 10 |
She followed him high, she followed him low,
Till she came to yon church-yard;
O there the grave did open up,
And young William he lay down. |
| 11 |
'What three things are these, Sweet William,' she says,
'That stands here at your head?'
'It's three maidens, Marjorie,' he says,
'That I promised once to wed.' |
| 12 |
'What three things are these, Sweet William,' she says,
'That stands here at your side?'
'It is three babes, Marjorie,' he says,
'That these three maidens had.' |
| 13 |
'What three things are these, Sweet William,' she says,
'That stands here at your feet?'
It is three hell-hounds, Marjorie,' he says,
'That's waiting my soul to keep.' |
| 14 |
She took up her white, white hand,
And she struck him in the breast,
Saying, Have there again your faith and troth,
And I wish your soul good rest. |
