English and Scottish Ballads
Chapter 93 : THE THREE KNIGHTS. See p. 251.From the second edition of Gilbert's _Ancient Christ

THE THREE KNIGHTS. See p. 251.

From the second edition of Gilbert's _Ancient Christmas Carols_, &c.

p. 68.

There did three Knights come from the West, _With the high and the lily oh_!

And these three Knights courted one Lady, _As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

The first Knight came was all in white, 5 _With the high and the lily oh_!

And asked of her, if she'd be his delight, _As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

The next Knight came was all in green, _With the high and the lily oh_! 10 And asked of her, if she'd be his Queen, _As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

The third Knight came was all in red, _With the high and the lily oh_!

And asked of her, if she would wed, 15 _As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

"Then have you asked of my Father dear, _With the high and the lily oh_!

Likewise of her who did me bear?

_As the rose was so sweetly blown_. 20

"And have you asked of my brother John?

_With the high and the lily oh_!

And also of my sister Anne?"

_As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

"Yes, I have asked of your Father dear, 25 _With the high and the lily oh_!

Likewise of her who did you bear, _As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

"And I have asked of your sister Anne, _With the high and the lily oh_! 30 But I've not asked of your brother John,"

_As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

[Here some verses seem to be wanting.]

For on the road as they rode along, _With the high and the lily oh_!

There did they meet with her brother John, 35 _As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

She stooped low to kiss him sweet, _With the high and the lily oh_!

He to her heart did a dagger meet, _As the rose was so sweetly blown_. 40

"Ride on, ride on," cried the serving man, _With the high and the lily oh_!

"Methinks your bride she looks wond'rous wan,"

_As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

"I wish I were on yonder stile, 45 _With the high and the lily oh_!

For there I would sit and bleed awhile, _As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

"I wish I were on yonder hill, _With the high and the lily oh_! 50 There I'd alight and make my will,"

_As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

"What would you give to your Father dear?"

_With the high and the lily oh_!

"The gallant steed which doth me bear," 55 _As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

"What would you give to your Mother dear?"

_With the high and the lily oh_!

"My wedding s.h.i.+ft which I do wear, _As the rose was so sweetly blown_. 60

"But she must wash it very clean, _With the high and the lily oh_!

For my heart's blood sticks in every seam,"

_As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

"What would you give to your sister Anne?" 65 _With the high and the lily oh_!

"My gay gold ring, and my feathered fan,"

_As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

"What would you give to your brother John?"

_With the high and the lily oh_! 70 "A rope and gallows to hang him on,"

_As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

"What would you give to your brother John's wife?"

_With the high and the lily oh_!

"A widow's weeds, and a quiet life," 75 _As the rose was so sweetly blown_.

THE CRUEL MOTHER. See p. 262.

From Buchan's _Ballads of the North of Scotland_, ii. 222.

It fell ance upon a day, _Edinbro'_, _Edinbro'_, It fell ance upon a day, _Stirling for aye_; It fell ance upon a day, The clerk and lady went to play, _So proper Saint Johnston stands fair upon Tay_. 5

"If my baby be a son, _Edinbro'_, _Edinbro'_, If my baby be a son, _Stirling for aye_; If my baby be a son, I'll make him a lord o' high renown,"

_So proper Saint Johnston stands fair upon Tay_. 10

She's lean'd her back to the wa', _Edinbro'_, _Edinbro'_, She's lean'd her back to the wa', _Stirling for aye_; She's lean'd her back to the wa', Pray'd that her pains might fa', _So proper Saint Johnston stands fair upon Tay_. 15

She's lean'd her back to the thorn, _Edinbro'_, _Edinbro'_, She's lean'd her back to the thorn, _Stirling for aye_; She's lean'd her back to the thorn, There has her baby born, _So proper Saint Johnston stands fair upon Tay_. 20

"O bonny baby, if ye suck sair, _Edinbro'_, _Edinbro'_, O bonny baby, if ye suck sair, _Stirling for aye_; O bonny baby, if ye suck sair, You'll never suck by my side mair,"

_So proper Saint Johnston stands fair upon Tay_. 25

She's riven the muslin frae her head, _Edinbro'_, _Edinbro'_, She's riven the muslin frae her head, _Stirling for aye_; She's riven the muslin frae her head, Tied the baby hand and feet, _So proper Saint Johnston stands fair upon Tay_. 30

Out she took her little penknife, _Edinbro'_, _Edinbro'_, Out she took her little penknife, _Stirling for aye_; Out she took her little penknife, Twin'd the young thing o' its life, _So proper Saint Johnston stands fair upon Tay_. 35

She's howk'd a hole anent the meen, _Edinbro'_, _Edinbro'_, She's howk'd a hole anent the meen, _Stirling for aye_; She's howk'd a hole anent the meen, There laid her sweet baby in, _So proper Saint Johnston stands fair upon Tay_. 40