Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Scottish ballads

In air he heard a joyfu' shriek :
Red Cumin's ghaist was near.
Now to the chamber doth he creep.
A lamp of glimmering ray-
Showed young Kirkpatrick fast asleep
In arms of lady gay.
He lay wi' bare unguarded breast,
By sleepy juice beguiled ;
And sometimes sighed by dreams opprest,
And sometimes sweetly smiled.
Unclosed her mouth of rosy hue,
Whence issued fragrant air,
That gently, in soft motion, blew
Stray ringlets of her hair.
" Sleep on^ sleep on, ye lovers dear !
The dame may wake to weep ;
But that day's sun maun shine fou clear,
That spills this warrior's sleep."
He louted down ; her lips he prest ;
O I kiss foreboding woe I
Then struck on young Kirkpatrick's breast
A deep and deadly blow.
Sair, sair, and meikle did he bleed :
His lady slept till day,
But dreamed the Firth* flowed owerher head,
In bride-bed as she lay.
The murderer hasted down the stair,
And backed his courser fleet :
* The Frith of Sol way, on which Caerlaveroc Castle is situated.