Show me the way to Stirling town,
the place where it doth ſtand?
Follow your noſe, the tanner he ſaid,
keep the gallows on your right hand:
And when that you come to Stirling town,
take care you be not hang’d, ſays the Tanner.
Will ye go to the ale-houſe with me, ſays the King,
and drink both beer and wine;
And when the reckoning comes to be paid,
I’ll pay both yours and mine.
The de’il’s in the follow, the Tanner he ſaid;
I think ye are gone mad!
For where there’s one penny in your pocket,
there’s a guinea in mine to be had.
The King pull’d out a green horn from his ſide;
and blew it wonderous ſhrill,
Till four-and-forty bolted Knights
came riding out-o’er the hill.
Fetch a collar to me ſays the King,
go fetch a collar to me,
I’ll make this Tanner as good a Knight
as rides in my company.
O wo is me, the tanner he ſaid,
that ever I was born!
For inſtead of a collar I’ll get a halter!
I fear I’ll be hang’d the morn.
