I WISH I were where Helen lies! Night and day on me she cries; O that I were where Helen lies On fair Kirconnell lea! Curst be the heart that thought the thought, And curst the hand that fired the shot, When in my arms burd Helen dropt, And died for sake o’ me! O think na but my heart was sair When my Love dropt down and spak nae mair; I laid her down wi’ meikle care On fair Kirconnell lea. As I went down the water-side, None but my foe to be my guide, None but my foe to be my guide, On fair Kirconnell lea; I lighted down my sword to draw, I hacked him in pieces sma’, I hacked him in pieces sma’, For her that died for me. O Helen fair, beyond compare! I’ll make a garland of thy hair Shall bind my heart for evermair Until the day I die. O that I were where Helen lies! Night and day on me she cries; Out of my bed she bids me rise, Says, ‘Haste and come to me!’ O Helen fair! O Helen chaste! If I were with thee, I were blest, Where thou liest low and tak’st thy rest On fair Kirconnell lea. I wish my grave were growing green, A winding-sheet drawn ower my een, And I in Helen’s arms lying, On fair Kirconnell lea. I wish I were where Helen lies! Night and day on me she cries; And I am weary of the skies, Since my Love died for me. THE WIFE OF USHER’S WELL THESE lived a wife at Usher’s Well And a wealthy wife was she; She had three stout and stalwart sons, And sent them over the sea. They hadna been a week from her, A week but barely ane, When word came to the carlin wife That her three sons were gane. They hadna been a week from her, A week but barely three, When word came to the carlin wife That her sons she’d never see. ‘I wish the wind may never cease, Nor fashes in the flood, Till my three sons come hame to me, In earthly flesh and blood!’ It fell about the Martinmass, When nights are lang and mirk, The carlin wife’s three sons came hame, And their hats were of the birk. It neither grew in syke nor ditch, Nor yet in ony sheugh; But at the gates o’ Paradise That birk grew fair eneugh. ‘Blow up the fire, my maidens! Bring water from the well; For a’ my house shall feast this night, Since my three sons are well.’ And she has made to them a bed, She’s made it large and wide; And she’s ta’en her mantle her about, Sat down at the bedside. Up then crew the red, red cock, And up and crew the grey; The eldest to the youngest said, ‘’Tis time we were awa!’ The cock he hadna crawed but once, And clapped his wings at a’, When the youngest to the eldest said, ‘Brother, we must awa,’