Richie Story
No: 232; variant: 232E
- THE Earl of Wigton has seven sisters,
And O but they be wondrous bonnie!
And the bonniest lass amang them a'
Has fallen in love wi Richie Storie.
- As I came down by yon river-side,
And down by the banks of Eache bonnie,
There I met my own true-love,
Wi ribbons on her shoulders bonnie.
- 'Here is a letter for you, madam,
Here is a letter for you, madam;
The earl of Aboyne has a noble design
To be a suitor to you, madam.'
- 'I'll hae nane of his letters, Richie,
I'll hae nane of his letters, Richie,
For I've made a vow, and I'll keep it true,
That I'll hae nane but you, Richie.'
- 'Take your word again, madam,
Take your word again, madam,
For I have neither land nor rents
For to mentain you on, madam.'
- 'I'll sit below the dyke, Richie,
I'll sit below the dyke, Richie,
And I will be at your command
At ony time you like, Richie.
- 'Ribbons you shall wear, Richie,
Ribbons you shall wear, Richie,
A cambric band about your neck,
And vow but ye'll be braw, Richie!'
- As they came in by the West Port,
The naps of gold were bobbing bonnie;
Many a one bade this lady gude-day,
But neer a one to Richie Storie.
- As they came up the Parliament Close,
Naps of gold were bobbing bonnie;
Many a gentleman lifted his cap,
But few kennd she was Richie's lady.
- . . . .
. . . .
And ay methinks we'll drink the night
In Cambernauld sae bonnie.
- 'It's are not you sick, sister,
Are not you very sorrie,
To leave the lands of bonnie Cambernauld,
And run awae wi Richie Storie?'
- 'Why should I be sick, sister,
O why should I be any sorrie,
When I hae gotten my heart's delight?
I hae gotten the lot was laid afore me.'