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Rare Willie Drowned in Yarrow, or, The Water o Gamrie

No: 215; variant: 215F

  1. WHAN Willie was in his saddle set, And all his merry men wi him, 'Stay still, stay still, my merry men all, I've forgot something behind me.
  2. 'Gie me God's blessing an yours, mither, To hae me on to Gamery; Gie me God's blessing an yours, mither, To gae to the bride-stool wi me.'
  3. 'I'll gie ye God's blessing an mine, Willie, To hae you on to Gamery; Ye's hae God's blessing an mine, Willie, To gae to the bride-stool wi you.
  4. . . . . . . . . 'But Gamery it is wide and deep, An ye'll never see your wedding;'
  5. Some rede back, an some rede fore, An some rede on to Gamery; The bonniest knight's saddle among them all Aught me this day for wedding?
  6. Out it spake the bride hersell, Says, What makes all this riding? Where is the knight amongst you all Aught me this day for wedding?
  7. Out it spake the bridegroom's brother, Says, Margaret, I'll tell you plainly; The knight ye should hae been wedded on Is drownd in the Water o Gamery.
  8. She's torn the ribbons aff her head---- They were baith thick and mony---- She kilted up her green claithing, And she has passed the Gamery.
  9. She's plunged in, so did she down, That was baith black an jumly, And in the middle o that water She found her ain sweet Willie.
  10. She's taen him in her arms twa And gied him kisses many: 'My mother's be as wae as thine! We'll baith lie in the Water o Gamery.'