There are three versions of the song in the Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection. This is #235A.

SIR JAMES THE ROSE

1. Of all the Scottish northern chiefs
Of high and warlike name
The bravest was Sir James the Rose
A knicht of muckle fame.

2. His growth was like the tufted fir
That crowns the mountain's brow
And waving o'er his shoulders broad
The locks o yellow flew.

3. The chieftain of the brave clan Rose
A firm undaunted band
Five hundred warriors drew their sword
Beneath his high command.

4. In bloody fight thrice had he stood
Against the English keen
Ere twa an twenty opening springs
This blooming youth had seen.

5. The fair Matilda dear he loved
A maid of beauty rare
Ev'n Margaret on the Scottish throne
Was never half so fair.

6. Lang had he wooed lang she refused
With seeming scorn and pride
Yet aft her eyes confessed the love
Her fearful words denied.

7. At last he blessed her well tried faith
Allowed his tender claim
She vowed to him her virgin heart
And owned an equal flame.

8. Her father Buchan's cruel lord
Their passion disapproved
And bade her wed Sir John the Graeme,
And leave the youth she loved.

9. Ae nicht they met as they were wont
Down in a shady wood
Where on a bank beside a burn
A blooming saugh tree stood.

10. Concealed amang the underwood
The crafty Donald lay
The brother o Sir John the Graeme
To hear what they did say.

11. When thus the maid began, My sire,
Our passion disapproves
And bids me wed Sir John the Graeme
So here must end our loves.

12. My father's will must be obeyed
Nought boots me to withstand
Some fairer maid in beauty's bloom
May bless thee with her hand.

13. Matilda soon shall be forgot
And from thy mind effaced
But may that happiness be thine
Which I can never taste.

14. What do I hear is this thy vow
Sir James the Rose replied
And will Matilda wed the Graeme
Though sworn to be my bride.

15. His sword shall sooner pierce my heart
Than reave me o thy charms
Then clasped her to his beating breast
Fast lock'd within his arms.

16. I spake to try thy love she said
I'll ne'er wed man but thee
My grave shall be my bridal bed
Ere Graeme my husband be.

17. Take then dear youth this faithful kiss
In witness of my troth
And every plague become my lot
That day I break my oath.

18. They parted thus the sun was set
Up hasty Donald flies
O turn O turn ye beardless youth
He loud insulting cries.

19. Soon turned about the fearless chief
And soon his sword he drew
For Donald's blade before his breast,
Had pierced his tartans through.

20. This for my brother's slighted love
His wrongs sit on my arm
Three paces back the youth retired
And saved himself from harm.

21. Returning swift his hand he reared
Frae Donald's head above
And through the brain and crashing bones
His sharp edged weapon drove.

22. He staggered reeled then tumbled down
A lump of breathless clay
So fall my foes, said valient Rose,
And stately strode away.

23. Through the green wood he quickly hied
Unto Lord Buchan's hail
And at Matilda's window stood
And thus began to call.

24. Art thou asleep Matilda dear
Awake my love awake
Thy luckless lover on thee calls
A long farewell to take.

25. For I have slain fierce Donald Graeme
His blood is on my sword
And far far distant are my men
That would assist their lord.

26. To Skye I'll now direct my course
Where my brave brothers bide
And raise the valient of the Isles
To combat on my side.

27. O do not so the maid replied
With me till morning stay
For dark and dreary is the nicht
And dangerous is the way.

28. All night I'll watch you in the park
My faithful page I'll send
To go and raise the Rose's clan
Their master to defend.

29. Beneath a bush he laid him down
And wrapped him in his plaid
While trembling for her lover's fate
At distance stood the maid.

30. Swift ran the page o'er hill an dale
Till in a lonely glen
He met the furious Sir John Graeme
With twenty of his men.

31. Where goest thou little page he said
So late who did thee send
I go to raise the Rose's clan
Their master to defend.

32. For he has slain fierce Donald Graeme
His blood is on his sword
And far far distant are his men
That could assist their lord.

33. And has he slain my brother dear
The furious Graeme replies
Dishonour blast my name but he
By me ere morning dies.

34. Tell me where is Sir James the Rose
I will thee well reward
He sleeps into Lord Buchan's park
Matilda is his gaurd.

35. They spurred their steeds in furious mood
And scoured along the lea
They reached Lord Buchan's lofty towers
By the dawning of the day.

36. Matilda stood without the gate
To whoom the Graeme did say
Saw ye Sir James the Rose last night
Or did he pass this way.

37. Last day at noon Matilda said
Sir James the Rose passed by
He furious pricked his sweaty steed
And onward fast did hie.

38. By this time he's in Edinburgh
If man and horse hold good
Your page then lied to me who said
He was sleeping in the wood.

39. She wrung her hands and tore her hair
Brave Rose thou art betrayed
And ruined by those means she cried
From whence I hoped thine aid.

40. With this the valient knight awoke
The virgin's shrieks he heard
And up he rose and drew his sword
When the fierce band appeared.

41. Your sword last night my brother slew
His blood yet dims its shine
And ere the setting of the sun
Your blood shall reek on mine.

42. You word it well the chief replied
But deeds approve the man
Set by your band and hand to hand
Wee'l try what valour can.

43. Oft boasting hides a coward's heart
My weighty sword you fear
It shone in front of Flodden Field
When yours kept in the rear.

44. With dauntless step he forward strode
And dared him to the fight
But Graeme gave back and feared his arm
For well he knew his might.

45. Four of his men the bravest four
Sank down beneath his sword
But still he scorned the poor revenge
And sought their haughty lord.

46. Behind him basely came the Graeme
And pierced him in the side
Out spouting came the purple blood
And all his tartans dyed.

47. But yet his sword quat not the grip
Nor droped he to the ground
Till through and through his enemy's heart
He pierced a mortal wound.

48. Graeme like a tree with wind o'erthrown
Fell breathless on the clay
And down beside him sank the Rose
And faint and dying lay.

49. The sad Matilda saw him fall
Oh spare his life she cried
Lord Buchan's daughter begs his life
Let her not be denied.

50. Her well known voice the hero heard
He raised his death closed eyes
And fixed them on the weeping maid
And weakly thus replies.

51. In vain Matilda begs the life
By death's arrest denied
My race is run adieu my love
And closed his eyes and died.

52. The sword yet warm from his left side
With frantic hands she drew
I come I come Sir James the Rose
I come to follow you.

53. She lent the hilt against the ground
And bared her snowy breast
Then fell upon her lover's face
And sank to endless rest.

Mrs. MARGARET GILLESPIE, Rev. JAMES B. DUNCAN and GEORGE F. DUNCAN

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