It was a knight in Scotland born, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) Was taken pris’ner and left forlorn, Even by the good Earl of Northumberland. Then was he cast in prison strong, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) Where he could not walk nor lie along, Even by the good Earl of Northumberland. And as in sorrow thus he lay, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) The Earl’s sweet daughter passed that way, And she the fair flower of Northumberland. And passing by, like an angel bright, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) The prisoner had of her a sight, And she the fair flower of Northumberland. And aloud to her this knight did cry, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) The salt tears standing in her eye, And she the fair flower of Northumberland. “Fair lady,” he said, “take pity on me, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) And let me not in prison dee, And you the fair flower of Northumberland.” “Fair sir, how should I take pity on thee, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) Thou being a foe to our countrie, And I the fair flower of Northumberland?” “Fair lady, I am no foe,” he said, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) “Through thy sweet love here was I stayed, And thou the fair flower of Northumberland.” “Why shouldst thou come here for love of me, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) Having wife and bairns in thy own countrie, And I the fair flower of Northumberland?” “I swear by the Blessed Trinity, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) That neither wife nor bairns have I, And thou the fair flower of Northumberland.” “If courteously thou wilt set me free, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) I vow that I will marry thee, And thou the fair flower of Northumberland. “Thou shalt be lady of castles and towers, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) And sit like a queen in princely bowers, Even thou the fair flower of Northumberland.” Then parted hence this lady gay, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) And got her father’s ring away, And she the fair flower of Northumberland. Likewise much gold got she by sleight, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) And all to help this forlorn knight, And she the fair flower of Northumberland. Two gallant steeds both good and able, (Follow, my love, come over the strand), She likewise took out of the stable, And she the fair flower of Northumberland. And to the goaler she sent the ring, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) Who the knight from prison forth did bring, To meet the fair flower of Northumberland. This token set the prisoner free, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) Who straight went to this fair ladye, And she the fair flower of Northumberland. A gallant steed he did bestride, (Follow, my love, come over the strand) And with the lady away did ride, And she the fair flower of Northumberland.