Margaret lay on a fine feather bed
The Halloween drew near
When a dreadful form came to her room
And to her did appear.

"Are you my father the king?" she said
"Are you my brother John?
Or are you my true love William
From Scotland coming home?"


"I'm not your father the king," he said
"I'm not your brother John,
But I am your true love William.
From Scotland I've returned."

"Margaret, Lady Margaret," he said,
"In love, in charity,
Will you give me back the plighted troth
That once, love, I gave thee?"

"No, I'll not give you back your plighted troth
Nor any other thing
Until you take me to your father's house
Where oft-times I have been."

He's taken her to his father's house
And as they did enter in,
The gates swung open at their own free will
To let young William in.

"Margaret, Lady Margaret," he said,
"In love, in charity,
Will you give me back the plighted troth
That once, love, I gave thee?"

"No, I'll not give you back your plighted troth
Nor any other thing
Until you take me to the chapel hall
And marry me with a ring."

He's taken her to the chapel hall
And as they did enter in,
The locks flew asunder at their own free will
To let young William in.

"Margaret, Lady Margaret," he said,
"In love, in charity,
Will you give me back the plighted troth
That once, love, I gave thee?"

She took the cross from around her neck
And laid it on his breast
Saying "Take you back your plighted troth
And in Heaven your soul find rest."

Silent stood the red red cock
But loudly called the grey
"It is time for the living to depart the dead
And so you must away."