1 Sweet Willie was a widow's son, And milk-white was his weed; It sets him weel to bridle a horse, And better to saddle a steed, my dear, And better to saddle a steed. 2 But he is on to Maisry's bower-door, And tirled at the pin: 'Ye sleep ye, wake ye, Lady Maisry, Ye'll open, let me come in.' 3 'O who is this at my bower-door, Sae well that knows my name?' 'It is your ain true-love, Willie, If ye love me, lat me in.' 4 Then huly, huly raise she up, For fear o making din, Then in her arms lang and bent, She caught sweet Willie in. 5 She leand her low down to her toe, To loose her true-love's sheen, But cauld, cauld were the draps o bleed Fell fae his trusty brand. 6 'What frightfu sight is that, my love? A frightfu sight to see! What bluid is this on your sharp brand? O may ye not tell me?' 7 'As I came thro the woods this night, The wolf maist worried me; O shoud I slain the wolf, Maisry? Or shoud the wolf slain me?' 8 They hadna kissd, nor love clapped, As lovers when they meet, Till up it starts her auld father, Out o his drowsy sleep. 9 'O what's become o my house-cock, Sae crouse at ane did craw? I wonder as much at my bold watch, That's nae shooting ower the wa. 10 'My gude house-cock, my only son, Heir ower my land sae free, If ony ruffian hae him slain, High hanged shall he be.' 11 Then he's on to Maisry's bower-door, And tirled at the pin: 'Ye sleep ye, wake ye, daughter Maisry, Ye'll open, lat me come in.' 12 Between the curtains and the wa She rowd her true-love then, And huly went she to the door, And let her father in. 13 'What's become o your maries, Maisry, Your bower it looks sae teem? What's become o your green claithing, Your beds they are sae thin?' 14 'Gude forgie you, father,' she said, 'I wish ye be't for sin; Sae aft as ye hae dreaded me, But never found me wrang.' 15 He turnd him right and round about, As he'd been gaun awa; But sae nimbly as he slippet in Behind a screen sae sma. 16 Maisry, thinking a' dangers past, She to her love did say, 'Come, love, and take your silent rest; My auld father's away.' 17 Then baith lockd in each other's arms, They fell full fast asleep, When up it starts her auld father, And stood at their bed-feet. 18 'I think I hae the villain now That my dear son did slay; But I shall be revengd on him Before I see the day.' 19 Then he's drawn out a trusty brand, And stroakd it oer a stray, And thro and thro Sweet Willie's middle He's gart cauld iron gae.