| 1 |
Burd Helen was her mother's dear,
Her father's heir to be;
He was the laird of Broughty walls,
And the provost o Dundee. |
| 2 |
Burd Helen she was much admired
By all that were round about;
Unto Hazelan she was betrothed,
Her virgin days were out. |
| 3 |
Glenhazlen was a comely youth,
And virtuous were his friends;
He left the schools o bonny Dundee
And on to Aberdeen. |
| 4 |
It fell upon a Christmas Day
Burd Helen was left alone
For to keep her father's towers;
They stand two miles from town. |
| 5 |
Glenhazlen's on to Broughty Walls,
Was thinking to win in;
But the wind it blew, and the rain dang on
And wat him to the skin. |
| 6 |
He was very well entertaind,
Baith for his bed and board,
Till a band o men surrounded them,
Well armd wi spear and sword. |
| 7 |
They hurried her along wi them,
Lockd up her maids behind;
They threw the keys out-ower the walls,
That none the plot might find. |
| 8 |
They hurried her along wi them,
Ower mony a rock and glen,
But, all that they could say or do.
From weepimg would not refrain. |
| 9 |
'The Hiland hill are hie, hie hills,
The Hiland hills are hie;
They are no like the banks o Tay,
Or bonny town o Dundee.' |
| 10 |
It fell out ance upon a day
They went to take the air;
She threw hersell upon the stream,
Against wind and despair. |
| 11 |
It was sae deep he coudna wide,
Boats werna to be found,
But he leapt in after himsell,
And sunk down like a stone. |
| 12 |
Se kilted up her green claiding
A little below her knee,
And never rest nor was undrest
Till she reachd again Dundee. |
| 13 |
'I learned this at Broughty Walls,
At Broughty near Dundee,
That if water were my prison strong
I would swim for libertie.' |
