John Seton of Pitmedden, a young and brave cavalier, was shot through the middle by a cannon ball, during the skirmish at the Bridge of Dee, while engaged, under the Viscount of Aboyne, in resisting the advance of Montrose upon the town of Aberdeen, in June, 1639. It was the hard fate of Aberdeen to suffer from the arms of Montrose, first, when he was general of the Covenanters, and again while he was lieutenant for the King. The murder and pillage perpetrated in the town by the Irish after the defeat of Lord Burleigh, in 1644, have been made the subject of violent reproach by his enemies, but it may perhaps be said, that for all that exceeded the usual horrors of war, the heroic commander was not responsible. In Buchan's version of the present ballad, the clemency shown by Montrose on taking possession of the city in 1639 is commemorated in three stanzas worthy of preservation. The Covenanters were "resolved to have sacked it orderly." Out it speeks the gallant Montrose, (Grace on his fair body!) "We winna burn the bonny burgh, We'll even lat it be." Then out it speaks the gallant Montrose, "Your purpose I will break; We winna burn the bonny burgh, We'll never build its make. "I see the women and their children Climbing the craigs sae hie; We'll sleep this night in the bonny burgh, And even lat it be." * * * * * Upon the eighteenth day of June, A dreary day to see, The Southern lords did pitch their camp Just at the bridge of Dee. Bonny John Seton of Pitmeddin, 5 A bold baron was he, He made his testament ere he went out, The wiser man was he. He left his land to his young son, His lady her dowry, 10 A thousand crowns to his daughter Jean, Yet on the nurse's knee. Then out came his lady fair, A tear into her e'e; Says "Stay at home, my own good lord, 15 O stay at home with me!" He looked over his left shoulder, Cried, "Souldiers, follow me!" O then she looked in his face, An angry woman was she: 20 "God send me back my steed again, But ne'er let me see thee!" His name was Major Middleton That manned the bridge of Dee; His name was Colonel Henderson 25 That let the cannons flee. His name was Major Middleton That manned the bridge of Dee; And his name was Colonel Henderson That dung Pitmeddin in three. 30 Some rode on the black and gray, And some rode on the brown, But the bonny John Seton Lay gasping on the ground.