‘It’s narrow, narrow, mak your bed, And learn to lie your lane; For I’m gaun owre the sea, Fair Annie, A braw Bride to bring hame. Wi’ her I will get gowd and gear, Wi’ you I ne’er gat nane.
‘But wha will bake my bridal bread, Or brew my bridal ale? And wha will become my bright Bride, That I bring owre the dale?’--
‘It’s I will bake your bridal bread, And brew your bridal ale; And I will welcome your bright Bride, That you bring owre the dale.’--
‘But she that welcomes my bright Bride Maun gang like maiden fair; She maun lace on her robe sae jimp[306], And comely braid her hair.
‘Bind up, bind up your yellow hair, And tie it on your neck; And see you look as maiden-like As the day that first we met.’--
‘O how can I gang maiden-like, When maiden I am nane? Have I not borne six sons to thee, And am wi’ child again?’--
‘I’ll put cooks into my kitchen, And stewards in my hall, And I’ll have bakers for my bread, And brewers for my ale; But you’re to welcome my bright Bride, That I bring owre the dale.’
Three months and a day were gane and past, Fair Annie she gat word That her love’s ship was come at last, Wi’ his bright young Bride aboard.
She’s ta’en her young son in her arms, Anither in her hand; And she’s gane up to the highest tower, Looks over sea and land.
‘Come doun, come doun, my mother dear, Come aff the castle wa’! I fear if langer ye stand there, Ye’ll let yoursell doun fa’.’
She’s ta’en a cake o’ the best bread, A stoup o’ the best wine, And a’ the keys upon her arm, And to the yett[307] is gane.
‘O ye’re welcome hame, my ain gude lord, To your castles and your towers; Ye’re welcome hame, my ain gude lord, To your ha’s, but and your bowers. And welcome to your hame, fair lady! For a’ that’s here is yours.’
‘O whatna lady’s that, my lord, That welcomes you and me? Gin I be lang about this place, Her friend I mean to be.’
Fair Annie served the lang tables Wi’ the white bread and the wine; But ay she drank the wan water To keep her colour fine.
And aye she served the lang tables Wi’ the white bread and the brown, And aye she turn’d her round about, Sae fast the tears fell doun.
She took a napkin lang and white, And hung it on a pin; It was to wipe away the tears, As she gaed out and in.