The reivers they wad a stealing gang, To steal sae far frae hame; And stown ha'e they the king's daughter, Fair Annie hight by name. They've carried her into fremmit lands, 5 To a duke's son of high degree; And he has gie'n for Fair Annie Mickle goud and white money. And eight lang years o' love sae leal Had past atween them twae; 10 And now a bonny bairntime O' seven fair sons had they. That lord he was of Meckelborg land, Of princely blood and stemme; And for his worth and curtesy 15 That lord a king became. But little wist that noble king, As little his barons bald, That it was the king of England's daughter, Had sae to him been sald! 20 And eight lang years sae past and gane, Fair Annie now may rue; For now she weets in fremmit lands Anither bride he'll wooe. Fair Annie's till his mither gane; 25 Fell low down on her knee; "A boon, a boon, now lady mither, Ye grant your oys and me! "If ever ye kist, if ever ye blest, And bade them thrive and thee, 30 O save them now frae scaith and scorn, O save your oys and me! "Their father's pride may yet relent; His mither's rede he'll hear; Nor for anither break the heart 35 That ance to him was dear. "He had my love and maiden pride; I had nae mair to gi'e; He well may fa' a brighter bride, But nane that lo'es like me." 40 "A brighter bride he ne'er can fa'; A richer well he may; But daughter dearer nor Fair Annie, His mither ne'er can ha'e." That princess stood her son before: 45 "My lord the king," said she, "Fy on the lawless life ye lead, Dishonour'd as ye be! "Its Annie's gude, and Annie's fair, And dearly she lo'es thee; 50 And the brightest gems in a' your crown Your seven fair sons wad be. "Her love, her life, her maiden fame, Wi' you she shar'd them a'; Now share wi' her your bridal bed; 55 Her due she well may fa'." "To my bridal bed, my mither dear, Fair Annie ne'er can win; I coft her out of fremmit lands, Nor ken her kith or kin." 60 And he's gard write a braid letter, His wedding to ordein; And to betrothe anither bride To be his noble queen. Fair Annie up at her bower window 65 Heard a' that knight did say: "O God, my heavenly Father! gif My heart mat brast in twae!"