Hi, Here's the chapbook text from National Library of Scotland: Tragical ballad of Lord John's murder, Together with The cruel brother. Glasgow: Printed for the booksellers, [1840-1850?]. THE CRUEL BROTHER. There was three ladies play’d at the ba' With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; There came a knight, and play’d o’er them a’, As the primrose spreads so sweetly. The eldest was baith tall and fair, W ith a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; But the youngest was beyond compare, As the primrose spreads so sweetly. The midmost had a gracefu’ mien, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; But the youngest look’d like beauty’s queen. As the primrose spreads so sweetly. The knight bow’d low to a’ the three. With a heigh-ho ! and a lily gay; But to the youngest he bent his knee. As the primrose spreads so sweetly. The lady turned her head aside. With a heigh-ho: and a lily gay; The knight he woo’d her to be his bride. As the primrose spreads so sweetly. The lady blush’d a rosy red, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; And said, “ Sir knight, I’m o’er young to wed, As the primrose spreads so sweetly.” “O, lady fair, give me your hand, With a heigh ho! and a lily gay; And I’ll mak’ you lady of a’ my land, As the primrose spreads so sweetly.” "Sir knight, ere you my favour win, With a heigh ho! and a lily gay; Ye maun get consent frae a’ my kin’, As the primrose spreads so sweetly.” He has got consent frae her parents dear, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; And likewise frae her sisters fair, As the primrose spreads so sweetly. He has got consent frae her kin each one, With a heigh ho! and a lily gay; But forgot to spear at her brother John, As the primrose spreads so sweetly. Now, when the wedding-day was come, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; The knight would take his bonnie bride home, As the primrose spreads so sweetly. And many a lord and many a knight, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; Came to behold that lady bright, As the primrose spreads so sweetly. And there was nae man that did her see. With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; But wished himself bridegroom to be. As the primrose spreads so sweetly. Her father dear led her down the stair. With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; And her sisters twain thev kiss’d her there As the primrose spreads so sweetly. Her mother dear led her through the close. With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; And her brother John set her on the horse. As the primrose spreads so sweetly. She lean’d her o’er the saddle bow, W ith a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; To give him a kiss ere she did go, As the primrose spreads so sweetly. He has ta’en a knife, baith lang and sharp, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; And stabb’d the bonnie bride to the heart As the primrose spreads so sweetly. She hadna ridden half through the town. With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay. Until her heart’s blood stained her gown. As the primrose spreads so sweetly. “Ride saftly on,” said the best young man, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; For I think our bonnie bride looks pale and wan, As the primrose spreads so sweetly.” “0, lead me gently up yon hill, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; And I’ll there sit down, and make my will, As the primrose spreads so sweetly.” ”O, what will you leave to your father dear, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay?” The silver shod steed that brought me here. As the primrose spreads so sweetly.” “What will you leave to your mother dear, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay?” “My velvet pall and silken gear. As the primrose spreads so sweetly.” “And what will you leave to your sister Ann, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay?” “My silken scarf and my golden fan. As the primrose spreads so sweetly.” “What will you leave to your sister Grace, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay?” “My bloody cloaths to wash and dress. As the primrose spreads so sweetly.” “What will you leave to your brother John, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay?” “The gallows-tree to hang him on, As the primrose spreads so sweetly.” “What will ye leave to your brother John’s wife, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay?” “The wilderness to end her life. As the primrose spreads so sweetly.” This fair lady in her grave was laid, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; And a mass was o’er her said, As the primrose spreads so sweetly. But it would have made your heart right sair, With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay; To see the bridegroom rive his hair. As the primrose spreads so sweetly. * * * * Richie
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