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John of Hazelgreen

No: 293; variant: 293B

  1. IT was on a morning early, Before day-licht did appear, I heard a pretty damsel Making a heavy bier; Making a heavy bier, I wonderd what she did mean; But ay the tears they rappit doun, Crying, O Jock o Hazelgreen!
  2. 'O whare is this Hazelgreen, maid? That I may him see.' 'He is a ticht and a proper man, Lives in the South Cuntree. His shoulders broad, his arms lang, O he's comely to be seen!'---- But ay the tears they drappit doun For Jock o Hazelgreen.
  3. 'Will ye gang wi me, fair maid? . . . . . . . And I'll marry ye on my son,' . . . . . . . 'Afore I'd go along wi you, To be married on your son, I'd rather choose to stay at hame, And die for Hazelgreen.'
  4. But he has tane her up behind, And spurred on his horse, Till ance he cam to Embro toun, And lichted at the corss. He bought to her a petticoat, Besides a handsome goun; He tied a silver belt about her waist, Worth thrice three hunder pund.
  5. And whan he cam to Hazelyetts, He lichted doun therein; Monie war the brave ladies there, Monie ane to be seen. She lichted doun amang them aw, She seemed to be the queen; But ay the tears they rappit doun For Jock o Hazelgreen.
  6. Young Hazelgreen took her by the hand And led her out and in: Said, Bonnie lady, for your sake, I could be baith rent and rien; I wad gie aw my lands and rents, Tho I had kingdoms three, If I could hae the great pleasure To enjoy thy fair bodie.
  7. 'No more of this,' his father said, 'Of your mourning let abee; I brought the damsel far frae hame, She's thrice as wae for thee. The morn is your bridal-day, The nicht is your bridal-een, And I'll gie you aw my lands and rents, My pleasing son, Hazelgreen.'