It's narrow, narrow make your bed
And learn to lie alone
For I'm going over the seas, Fair Annie,
To bring a rich bride home
With her, I'll get both gold and gear
With you I ne'er got none
I took you as a waif woman
I'll leave you as the same
But who will bake my bridal bread
And who'll brew my bridal ale
And who will welcome my brisk bride
That I bring o'er the dale
It's I will bake your bridal bread
And I'll brew your bridal ale
And I will welcome your brisk bride
That you bring o'er the dale
But she who welcomes my brisk bride
Must go like maiden fair
And she must lace her middle so thin
And neatly braid her hair
But how can I go like a maid
Since maiden I am none
You know as well as I, Lord Thomas
I've borne thee seven sons
She took her youngest in her arms
The eldest by the hand
And she is off to the highest tower
To watch them come to land
Come up, come up, my eldest son
And look o'er yon sea strand
And see your father's new come bride
Before she comes to land
Come down, come down, my mother dear
Come down from the castle wall
I fear if long you stay up there
You'll let your self down fall
So she came down and farther down
Her love's fine ship to see
And the top mast and the main mast
They shone like silver free
And she came down and farther down
The bride's ship to behold
And the top mast and the main mast
They shone like the burning gold
She took her eldest by the hand
And O, she did not fail
She met Lord Thomas and his bride
As they came o'er the dale
You're welcome to your halls lady
You're welcome to your bowers
You're welcome to your home, lady
For all that's here is yours
I thank thee, Annie, I thank thee, Annie
So dearly, I thank thee
You're the likest to my sister, Annie
That ever I did see
There came a knight out o'er the sea
And stole my sister away
May Hell's shame keep him company
And hound him on his way |
And Annie set the wide tables
With white bread and with wine
And Annie drank cold well water
To keep her color fine
And Annie set the long tables
With white bread and with brown
And quickly turned her round about
So fast the tears ran down
Lord Thomas turned him round about
And smiled among his men
Says, like ye best the old lady
Or the one that's new come home?
When bells were rung and mass was sung
And all were sent to bed
Lord Thomas and his new come bride
To bed chambers they were led
And Annie made her bed nearby
To hear what they might say
And ever alas Fair Annie cried
That I should see this day
If my seven sons were seven young rats
Running on yon castle wall
and if I were a cat myself
I soon should worry them all
If my seven sons were seven young hares
Running on yon lily lea
And I were a greyhound myself
Soon worried they should be
My gown is on, said the new come bride
My shoes are on my feet
I will go to Fair Annie's chamber
And see what makes her weep
What ails thee, Annie, What ails thee, Annie
That you make such a moan?
Has your wine barrel cast its girds?
Or is your white bread gone?
And who was it was your father Annie?
And who was it was your mother?
And had you any sister, Annie?
or had you any brother?
The earl of Wemyss was my Father
The countess of Wemyss my mother
John Armstrong in the Western Lands
He is my eldest brother
If the Earl of Wemyss is your father dear
Then also is he mine
And sister by the powers in heaven
We nevermore shall twine
For I've a good ship of my own
It's loaded to the brim
And I will pay Lord Thomas down
And take my leave of him
And when the sun rose up that morn
The bride's ship did depart
Lord Thomas lay on his marriage bed
With a dagger in his heart |