Ed de Moel

Child Ballads - End-Notes

97. Brown Robin

A. a.  Written in stanzas of two long lines.
The first stanza, as given by Anderson, is:

The king Val(?) and his nobles a'
      Sat drinking at the wine;
He woud ha nane but his ae daughter
      To wait on them at dine.

181. boson: the king's daughter must have been "a sturdy dame" too.
212. so gray. The sun was up: see stanza 8.
b.  12. Were drinking.
21. She served them butt.
22. Baith knights and gallants sheen.
23. was still.
32. might gang.
33. And she has.
41. in yonder tree.
42. vow but he.
44. my love and I shall.
51. Gin ye luve me as weel, fair maid.
61. my auld father.
62. Sit drinking.
63. will I.
71. has hired the proud porter.
72. Wi the ale but and the.
75,6. She 's slipped aff hir silken sheen,
And saftly trippd she down;
She 's stown the key o hir father's yate,
And let hir true love in.
82. shined.
83. out and spake.
91. out and spake.
93. As wi ae wile I hae brought.
101,2. wanting.
105. she has met her auld.
106. Came creeping up. 11. wanting.
122. ever it crossd.
123. It has put.
124. canna stay.
134. Wi a'
141. and spake.
142. send him.
144. But keep the princess.
154. flowr's gude.
161. hied her.
162. Sae fast as she might.
163,4. She 's putten a goun upon hir love
Was of the dainty green.
171,2. The girdle round his stately waist
Wi gowd and silver shone.
173. His stockings o.
174. And his shune o the cordovan.
181. She put
182. up her.
183. her fair side next.
19. wanting.
203. By the faith o my body, then said the king.
204. a lusty.
211. gaed out.
212. sae gay.

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