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The lassie went foremost, sure I was to blame,
To ask for a lodging, myself I thought shame,
The lassie replied with tears not a few,
It’s ill-ale, said she, that’s sour when it’s new.
In a short time thereafter they came to a grove,
Where his flocks they were feeding in numbers (droves,
Allan stood musing his flocks for to see,
Step on, says the lady, that’s no pleasure to me.
A beautiful lady with green tartan trouse,
And twa bonny lasses were bughting his ewes,
They said, Honour’d master, are you come again?
Long, long have we look’d for you coming hame.
Bught in your ewes lasses and go your way hame,
I've brought a swan from the north I have her to name;
Her feathers are fallen, and where can she lye.
The best bed in the house her bed shall be.
The lady’s heart was far down, it cou’dna well rise,
Till mony a lad and lass came in with a sraise,
To welcome the lady, to welcome her home,
Such a hall in the highlands she never thought on.
The laddies did whistle, and the lasses did sing,
They made her a supper might have served a queen;
With ale & good whisky:they drank her health roun’,
And they made to the lassie a braw bed of down.
Early next morning he led her to the hay,
He bid her look round her as far’s she cou’d spy,
These lands and possessions my debts for to pay,
And ye winna go round ’em in a long summer day.
O Allan, O Allan, I’m indebted to thee,
It is a debt, dear Allan, I never can pay;
O Allan, O Allan, how came you for me?
Sure I am not worthy your bride for to be.
