  IO bonny Baby Livingston Went forth to view the hay, And by it came him Glenlyon, Sta’ bonny Baby away. IIO first he’s ta’en her silken coat, And neist her satten gown, Syne row’d And hap’d her roun’ and roun’. IIIHe has set her upon his steed And roundly rode away, And ne’er loot her look back again The live-long summer’s day. IVHe’s carried her o’er hills and muirs Till they came to a Highland glen, And there he’s met his brother John, With twenty armÈd men. VO there were cows, and there were ewes, And lasses milking there! But Baby ne’er ance look’d about, Her heart was fill’d wi’ care. VIGlenlyon took her in his arms, And kiss’d her, cheek and chin; Says, ‘I’d gie a’ these cows and ewes But ae kind look to win.’— VII‘O ae kind look ye ne’er shall get, Nor win a smile frae me, Unless to me you’ll favour shew, And take me to Dundee.’— VIII‘Dundee, Baby? Dundee, Baby? Dundee you ne’er shall see Till I’ve carried you to Glenlyon And have my bride made thee. IX‘We’ll stay a while at Auchingour, And get sweet milk and cheese, And syne we’ll gang to Glenlyon, And there live at our ease.’— X‘I winna stay at Auchingour, Nor eat sweet milk and cheese, Nor go with thee to Glenlyon, For there I’ll ne’er find ease.’ XIThen out it spake his brother John, ‘O were I in your place, I’d take that lady hame again, For a’ her bonny face. XII‘Commend me to the lass that’s kind, Tho’ na so gently born; And, gin her heart I coudna gain, To take her hand I’d scorn.’— XIII‘O haud your tongue now, John,’ he says, ‘You wis na what you say; For I have lo’ed that bonny face This twelve month and a day. XIV‘And tho’ I’ve lo’ed her lang and sair, A smile I ne’er cou’d win; Yet what I’ve got ance in my power To keep I think nae sin.’ XVWhen they came to Glenlyon Castle, They lighted at the yate, And out it came his sisters three, Wha did them kindly greet. XVIO they’ve ta’en Baby by the hands And led her o’er the green, And ilka lady spake a word, But bonny Baby spake nane. XVIIThen out it spake her bonny Jean, The youngest o’ the three; ‘O lady, dinna look sae sad, But tell your grief to me.’— XVIII‘O wherefore should I tell my grief, Since lax I’m stown frae a’ my kin and friends, And my love I left behind. XIX‘But had I paper, pen, and ink, Before that it were day, I yet might get a letter sent In time to Johny Hay.’ XXO she’s got paper, pen, and ink, And candle that she might see, And she has written a broad letter To Johny at Dundee. XXIAnd she has gotten a bonny boy, That was baith swift and strang, Wi’ philabeg and bonnet blue, Her errand for to gang. XXII‘O boy, gin ye’d my blessing win And help me in my need, Run wi’ this letter to my love, And bid him come wi’ speed. XXIII‘And here’s a chain of good red gowd, And gowden guineas three, And when you’ve well your errand done, You’ll get them for your fee.’ XXIVThe boy he ran o’er hill and dale, Fast as a bird cou’d flee, And ere the sun was twa hours height The boy was at Dundee. XXVAnd when he came to Johny’s door He knockÈd loud and sair; Then Johny to the window came, And loudly cry’d, ‘Wha’s there?’— XXVI‘O here’s a letter I have brought, Which ye maun quickly read, And, gin ye wou’d your lady save, Gang back wi’ me wi’ speed.’ XXVIIO when he had the |
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