5 And then spak a wild parrot, Sat high upon the tree: 'Gang on, gang on, O Burd Alone, [He likes nane better nor thee.] 6 'For Lord John has neither wife nor bairns, He likes better than thee, And the nearest way to Lord John's hall Is only short miles three.' 7 When she was come to Lord John's hall, Lords, knights and ladies braw Was there to welcome them hame; But the bravest in the ha, She waited at Lord John's back, Serving the tables a'. 8 When she was laid into her bed, Amang the servants a' ilk ane, The mother heard a babie greet, And a lady make a heavy maen. 9 'Rise up, rise up, Lord John,' she said, 'Bind on thy hose and shoon; Thow might hae got some other lady Than a lady big wi bairn.' 10 Lord John awa to the hay-loft, Where his lady lay; 'O rise, O rise, my love,' he says, 'O rise and let me in; It's I have got no loves without, But I've got one within.' 11 'I ask three favours of you, Lord John, I ask three favours of thee; I ask a bottle of your sma, sma beer, For your old son and me.' 12 'O rise, O rise, my love,' he says, 'O rise and let me in; My wine and gin is at your command, And that of my old son.' 13 'The next favour I ask of you, Lord John, The next favour I ask of thee, Is the meanest room in all your house, For your young son and me. 14 'The next favour I ask of you, Lord John, The next favour I ask of thee, Is the meanest maid in a' your house, To wait on your yong son and me.' 15 'O rise, O rise, my love,' he says, 'O rise and let me in; For thy bridal and thy banquet day Shall both be held in ane.' I Communicated by Dr Thomas Davidson, as learned from his aunt at Old Deer, about 185 1 Lord John stands in his stable-door, Just on his way to ride; Lady Ellen stands in her bower-door, Says, Bide, Lord John, abide! * * * * * * * 2 He did ride, and she did run, A lief-lang simmer's day, Until they came till a wan water, That a' man did ca Tay. 3 The first step that she steppit in, She steppit tae the cweet; An sichan said that gay lady, I fear this water's deep! 4 The next step that she steppit in, She steppit tae the knee; An sichan said that gay lady, This water's deep for me! 5 Lord John hield down his high horse head, Said, Lady, will ye ride? 'O no! O no! kind sir,' she said, 'I'll rather choose tae wide.' 6 The next step that she steppit in, She steppit tae the chin; An sichan said that gay lady, I'll wide nae farrer in.