Ancient Scottish ballads, recovered from tradition, and never before ...

182
" Lie still my babe, lie still my babe,
Lie still as lang's ye may,
For your father rides on horseback high,
Cares little for us twae."*
It's whan she cam to the other side,
She sat doun on a stane;
Says, " Them that made me, help me now,
For I am far frae hame.
How far is it frae your mither's bouer,
Gude Lord John tell to me?"
" Its therty miles, Lady Margaret,
It's therty miles and three:
And ye'se be wed to ane o' her serving men,
For ye'se get na mair o' me."
Then up bespak the wylie parrot,
As it sat on the tree;
—
" Ye lee, ye lee, Lord John," it said,
" Sae loud as I hear ye lee.
" Ye say it's therty miles frae your mither's bouer
Whan it's but barely three;
* Tioae—two,