J. F. Campbell Collection > Minstrelsy of the Scottish border > Volume 1

320 MINSTRELSY OF
And when they cam to the Biddcs burn,
The Crichtons bade them stand and turn ;
And when they cam to the Biddes strand,
The Crichtons they were hard at hand.
But when they cam to the Biddes law.
The Johnstones bade them stand and draw
" WeVe done nae ill, we'll thole nae wrang.
" But back to Wamphray we will gang."
And out spoke Willy of the Kirkhill,
" Of fighting, lads, ye'se hae your fill."
And from his horse AVillie he lap,
And a burnished brand in his liand he gat.
Out through the Crichtons Willie he ran.
And dang them down baith horse and man ;
O but the Johnstones were wondrous rude,
When the Biddes burn ran three days blood
" Now, sirs, we have done a noble deed ;
" We have revenged the Galliard"'s bleid :
" For every finger of the Galliard's hand,
" I vow this day I've killVl a man."