Hi,

The next Carpenter versions are found under Child No. 7, Earl Brand with a master title, "Douglas Tragedy," Roud 23.

This is the first page of the Ross version (James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/5/1/F, p. 08091)- I'll add more soon.

The Douglas Tragedy- sung by William Ross of Balquhindochy, by Turriff, learned about 1880.

1. "Oh, come doon the stairs, Lord Douglas," she cried,
Put on your armour so bright,
Ne'er let it be said that a daughter o' thine,
should be married to a lord or a knight.

2. "Oh, come doon the stairs, ye seven sons so bold,
Put on your armour so bright,
And tak' better care of your youngest sister dear,
For your eldest is away last night."

3. He [Lord William] has mounted her on his milk-white steed,
Himsel' on the dapple grey,
Wi' his bugle horn hangin' doon by his side,
So lightly as they both rode away.

4. They rode on, an' on they rode,
By the light o' the moon so clear,
It was then that he spied her seven brethren bold,
It was then she began for to fear.

5. Lord William looked over his left shoulder,
To see what he could see,
It was then that he spied her seven brethren bold,
Comin' ridin' doon by the sea.

6. "Oh hold my steed, Lady Margaret," he cried,
"Oh hold it with your hand,
And I will fight your seven brethren bold
And your father I will make stand."

7. She held his steed with her milk-white hand,
And she never shed a tear,
Until she saw her seven brethren fall,
It was then she began to fear.

8. "Leave off, leave off," Lord William," she cried,
"Your strokes are wondrous sair,
Plenty of sweethearts I will get,
But a father I will never get nae mair."

9. She's ta'en out her handkerchief,
Doon in yonder lowlands so fine,
And she has wiped his bloody wounds,
They were redder than the wine.

10. They rode on, an' on they rode,
It was still by the light of the the moon,
Until they came to a clear running stream,
It was there that they both lighted doon.

11. They both lighted doon for to tak a drink,
O' the waters that ran so clear.
It was then that she spied guide's heart blood,
It was then she began for to fear.

12. "Hold up, hold up Lord William," she cried,
"I'm afraid you have been slain."
"It's only but my scarlet cloak,
That shines on the waters so plain."

13. He's mounted her on his milk-white steed,
Himsel on the dapple grey,
Wi' his bugle horn hanging down by his side,
So sadly they both rode away.

14. They rode on, an' on they rode,
It was still by the light of the the moon,
Until they came to his own mother's door,
It was there that they both lighted doon.

15. "Rise up, rise up, Lady mother, he cried,
"Rise up and let me in.
Rise up, rise up, for this very night,
My fair lady I did win."

16. "Mak my bed, Lady mother," he cried,
Mak it broad an' deep,
Place Lady Margaret at my back,
And the sounder I shall sleep."

17. But Lord William was dead long before midnight,
Lady Margaret long ere day,
And may ilka twa that go thegither,
May they have better luck than they.

18. Lord William was buried in St. Mary's kirk yard,
Lady Margaret in St. Mary's square,
And oot o' the lady's grave there grew a red rose,
And oot o' the knight's a sweet briar.

Richie