From _The Ballads and Songs of Ayrshire_, First Series, p. 74, where it is taken from a _Statistical Account of the Parish of Loudoun_. The writer of the _Statistical Account_ states that the old castle of Loudoun is supposed to have been destroyed by fire about 350 years ago. "The current tradition," he adds, "ascribes that event to the Clan Kennedy, and the remains of an old tower at Auchruglen, on the Galston side of the valley, is still pointed out as having been their residence." It fell about the Martinmas time, When the wind blew snell and cauld, That Adam o' Gordon said to his men, "When will we get a hold? "See [ye] not where yonder fair castle 5 Stands on yon lily lee? The laird and I hae a deadly feud, The lady fain would I see." As she was up on the househead, Behold, on looking down, 10 She saw Adam o' Gordon and his men, Coming riding to the town. The dinner was not well set down, Nor the grace was scarcely said, Till Adam o' Gordon and his men 15 About the walls were laid. "It's fause now fa' thee, Jock my man, Thou might a let me be; Yon man has lifted the pavement stone, An' let in the loun to me." 20 "Seven years I served thee, fair ladie, You gave me meat and fee; But now I am Adam o' Gordon's man, An' maun either do it or die." "Come down, come down, my Lady Loudoun, 25 Come thou down unto me;[L26] I'll wrap thee on a feather bed, Thy warrand I shall be." "I'll no come down, I'll no come down, For neither laird nor loun, 30 Nor yet for any bloody butcher That lives in Altringham town. "I would give the black," she says, "And so would I the brown, If that Thomas, my only son, 35 Could charge to me a gun." Out then spake the Lady Margaret, As she stood on the stair,-- The fire was at her goud garters, The lowe was at her hair. 40 "I would give the black," she says, "And so would I the brown, For a drink of yon water, That rins by Galston Town." Out then spake fair Anne, 45 She was baith jimp and sma', "O row me in a pair o' sheets, And tow me down the wa'." "O hold thy tongue, thou fair Anne, And let thy talkin' be, 50 For thou must stay in this fair castle, And bear thy death with me." "O mother," spoke the Lord Thomas, As he sat on the nurse's knee, "O mother, give up this fair castle, 55 Or the reek will worrie me."