Ed de Moel

Child Ballads - Lyrics

Child 93
Lamkin
Version M

  1. Dr. Joseph Robertson's Note-Book, Adversaria, p. 60, from tradition,
  2. Kinloch Manuscripts, VI, 31, in Dr. Robertson's handwriting.

Narrative

1   * * * *
But it fell out upon a day
Lord Wearie was to gae frae hame,
And he has left his lady gay
In his castell to stay her lane.
* * * * *
2   Lamkin rocked,
and fausse nourice sang,
And a' the four tors o the cradle
red blood sprang.
3   'O still my bairn, nourice,
O still him wi the wan:
'He winna still, lady,
for a' his father's lan.'
4   'O still my bairn, nourice,
O still him wi the keys:
'He winna still, lady,
for a' his father's leys.'
5   'O still my bairn, nourice,
O still him wi the pap:'
'He winna still, lady,
for this nor for that.'
6   'O still my bairn, nourice,
O still him wi the bell:
'He winna still, lady,
untill ye cum down yersell.'
7   The firsten step she steppet,
she stepped on a stane,
And the nexten step she stepped,
she keppit him fause Lamkin.
8   The thirden step she steppit,
she saw her young son's red blood run on,
. . . . .
. . . . .
9   'Ye've killed my bairn, Lamkin,
but lat mysell be;
Ye'se be as weel payit a mason
as was ever payd a fee.'

This page most recently updated on 05-Mar-2011, 17:36:38.
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