Motherwell's Manuscript, p. 426; from the recitation of Mrs.
— of Kilbarchan, January 3, 1826.
| 1 |
The Earl of Wigton had three daughters,
Oh and a waly, but they were unco bonnie!
The eldest of them had the far brawest house,
But she's fallen in love with her footman-laddie. |
| 2 |
As she was a walking doun by yon river-side,
Oh and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
There she espied her own footman,
With ribbons hanging over his shoulders sae bonnie. |
| 3 |
'Here's a letter to you, madame,
Here's a letter to you, madame;
The Earl of Hume is waiting on,
And he has his service to you, madame.' |
| 4 |
'I'll have none of his service,' says she,
'I'll have none of his service,' says she,
'For I've made a vow, and I'll keep it true,
That I'll marry none but you, Ritchie.' |
| 5 |
'O say not so again, madame,
O say not so again, madame;
For I have neither lands nor rents
For to keep you on, madam.' |
| 6 |
'I'll live where eer you please, Ritchie,
I'll live where eer you please, [Ritchie,]
And I'll be ready at your ca',
Either late or early, Ritchie.' |
| 7 |
As they went in by Stirling toun,
O and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
A' her silks were sailing on the ground,
But few of them knew of Ritchie Story. |
| 8 |
As they went in by the Parliament Close,
O and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
All the nobles took her by the hand,
But few of them knew she was Ritchie's lady. |
| 9 |
As they came in by her goodmother's yetts,
O and a wally, but she was unco bonnie!
Her goodmother bade her kilt her coats,
And muck the byre with Ritchie Storie. |
| 10 |
'Oh, may not ye be sorry, madame,
Oh, may not ye be sorry, madame,
To leave a' your lands at bonnie Cumbernaud,
And follow home your footman-laddie?' |
| 11 |
'What need I be sorry?' says she,
'What need I be sorry?' says she,
'For I've gotten my lot and my heart's desire,
And what Providence has ordered for me.' |
