The Baron of Brackley
I
Inverey cam' doun Deeside, whistlin' and playin';
He was at brave Brackley's yates ere it was dawin'. [gates; dawning
II
Says, 'Baron of Brackley, are ye within?
There's sharp swords at your yate will gar your blood spin. [make; spill
III
Open the yate, Brackley, let us within,
Till on the green turf we gar your blood spin.'
IV
The lady rase up, to the window she went;
She heard the kye lowin' o'er hill and o'er bent. [kine = cattle; scrubland
V
'O rise up, John,' she says, 'turn back your kye;
They're o'er the hills rinnin', they're skippin' awye!' [running
VI
'Come to bed, Peggie, and let the kye rin:
For were I to gang out, I'd never get in. [go
VII
For there is na gentlemen, nor yet pretty lads,
But a curn o' hired widdifu's, wears belted plaids.'
[a hired gang fit to be hanged (widdie = noose made of withies; fu' = full)
[who wear plaids (cloaks) because they don't have coats
VIII
Then she cry'd on her women, they quickly came ben: [within
'Tak' up your rocks, lasses, and fight a' like men!
IX
'Tho' I'm but a woman, to head you I'll try,
Nor let these vile Hielandmen steal a' our kye.'
X
Then up gat the Baron and cry'd for his graith; [harness = arms
Says, 'Lady, I'll gang, tho' to leave you I'm laith.
XI
'Come kiss me, my Peggie, and get me my gun;
For I well may gang out, but I'll never win in.'
XII
When the Baron of Brackley he rade thro' the close, [rode
A gallanter gentleman ne'er mounted horse.
XIII
Tho' there cam' in with Inverey thirty and three,
There was nane wi' bold Brackley but his brither and he. [none
XIV
Twa gallanter Gordons did never sword draw:
But against four and thirty, wae's me, what was twa? [woe
XV
Wi' swords and wi' daggers they did him surround,
And they've pierced the bold Brackley wi' mony a wound.
XVI
Frae the head o' the Dee to the banks o' the Spey [from
The Gordons may mourn him and ban Inverey. [curse
XVII
'O cam' ye in by Brackley, and was ye in there?
Or saw ye his Peggy dear riving her hair?' -- [tearing
XVIII
O I cam' by Brackley, and I was in there,
But I saw-na his Peggy dear riving her hair.' --
XIX
'O fye on ye, ladye! how could ye do sae?
You open'd your yate to the fause Inverey.' [false
XX
She ate wi' him, drank wi' him, welcomed him in;
She's welcomed the villain that slew her Baròn.
XXI
She kept him till morning, syne bade him be gane, [then
And show'd him the road that he wouldna be ta'en. [captured
XXII
'Thro' Bires and Aboyne,' she says, 'lyin' in a tour
O'er the hills o' Glentanor ye'll skip in an hour.'
XXIII
There is dule in the kitchen, and mirth in the ha', [grief; hall
For the Baron of Brackley is dead and awa'.
XXIV
But and up spak' the babe on his nourice's knee -- [nurse's
'Gin I live to be man, it's revenged I will be.' [if
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