'Eppie Morrie,' Maidment's North Countrie Garland, p. 40, 18.
| 1 |
Four-and-twenty Highland men
Came a' from Carrie side
To steal awa Eppie Morrie,
Cause she would not be a bride. |
| 2 |
Out it's came her mother,
It was a moonlight night,
She could not see her daughter,
Their swords they shin'd so bright. |
| 3 |
'Haud far awa frae me, mother,
Haud far awa frae me;
There's not a man in a' Strathdon
Shall wedded be with me.' |
| 4 |
They have taken Eppie Morrie,
And horse back bound her on,
And then awa to the Minister,
As fast as horse could gang. |
| 5 |
He's taken out a pistol,
And set it to the minister's breast:
'Marry me, marry me, minister,
Or else I'll be your priest.' |
| 6 |
'Haud far awa frae me, good sir,
Haud far awa frae me;
For there's not a man in all Strathdon
That shall married be with me.' |
| 7 |
'Haud far awa frae me, Willie,
Haud far awa frae me;
For I darna avow to marry you,
Except she's as willing as ye.' |
| 8 |
They have taken Eppie Morrie,
Since better could nae be,
And they're awa to Carrie side,
As fast as horse could flee. |
| 9 |
When mass was sung, and bells were rung,
And all were bound for bed,
Then Willie an Eppie Morrie
In one bed they were laid. |
| 10 |
'Haud far awa frae me, Willie,
Haud far awa frae me;
Before I'll lose my maidenhead,
I'll try my strength with thee.' |
| 11 |
She took the cap from off her head
And threw it to the way;
Said, Ere I lose my maidenhead,
I'll fight with you till day. |
| 12 |
Then early in the morning,
Before her clothes were on,
In came the maiden of Scalletter,
Gown and shirt alone. |
| 13 |
'Get up, get up, young woman,
And drink the wine wi me;'
'You might have called me maiden,
I'm sure as leal as thee.' |
| 14 |
'Wally fa you, Willie,
That ye could nae prove a man
And taen the lassie's maidenhead!
She would have hired your han.' |
| 15 |
'Haud far awa frae me, lady,
Haud far awa frae me;
There's not a man in a' Strathdon
The day shall wed wi me.' |
| 16 |
Soon in there came Belbordlane,
With a pistol on every side:
'Come awa hame, Eppie Morrie,
And there you'll be my bride.' |
| 17 |
'Go get to me a horse, Willie,
And get it like a man,
And send me back to my mother
A maiden as I cam. |
| 18 |
'The sun shines oer the westlin hills;
By the light lamp of the moon,
Just saddle your horse, young John Forsyth,
And whistle, and I'll come soon.' |
