The Maxwells had houses, or custody of houses at Dumfries, Lochmaben, Langholm, and Thrieve; and Carlaverock Castle is still theirs.
As for Lord Maxwell's 'lady and only joy,' the ballad neglects the fact that he instituted a process of divorce against her, and that she died, while it was pending, in 1608, five years before the date of the 'Goodnight.'
1. 'Adiew, madam my mother dear, But and my sisters two! Adiew, fair Robert of Oarchyardtoun For thee my heart is woe.
2. 'Adiew, the lilly and the rose, The primrose, sweet to see! Adiew, my lady and only joy! For I manna stay with thee.
3. 'Tho' I have killed the laird Johnston, What care I for his feed? My noble mind dis still incline; He was my father's dead.
4. 'Both night and day I laboured oft Of him revenged to be, And now I've got what I long sought; But I manna stay with thee.
5. 'Adiew, Drumlanrig! false was ay, And Cloesburn! in a band, Where the laird of Lagg fra my father fled When the Johnston struck off his hand.
6. 'They were three brethren in a band; Joy may they never see! But now I've got what I long sought, And I maunna stay with thee.
7. 'Adiew, Dumfries, my proper place, But and Carlaverock fair! Adiew, the castle of the Thrieve, And all my buildings there!
8. 'Adiew, Lochmaben's gates so fair, The Langholm shank, where birks they be! Adiew, my lady and only joy! And, trust me, I maunna stay with thee.
9. 'Adiew, fair Eskdale, up and down, Where my poor friends do dwell! The bangisters will ding them down, And will them sore compel.
10. 'But I'll revenge that feed mysell When I come ou'r the sea; Adiew, my lady and only joy! For I maunna stay with thee.'
11. 'Lord of the land, will you go then Unto my father's place, And walk into their gardens green, And I will you embrace.
12. 'Ten thousand times I'll kiss your face, And sport, and make you merry.' 'I thank thee, my lady, for thy kindness, But, trust me, I maunna stay with thee.'
13. Then he took off a great gold ring, Whereat hang signets three; 'Hae, take thee that, my ain dear thing, And still hae mind of me;
14. 'But if thow marry another lord Ere I come ou'r the sea; Adiew, my lady and only joy! For I maunna stay with thee.'
15. The wind was fair, the ship was close, That good lord went away, And most part of his friends were there, To give him a fair convay.