- Four-and-twenty Highland men
- Came a' from Carrie side
- To steal awa Eppie Morrie,
- Cause she would not be a bride.
- Out it's came her mother,
- It was a moonlight night,
- She could not see her daughter,
- Their swords they shin'd so bright.
- Haud far awa frae me, mother,
- Haud far awa frae me;
- There's not a man in a' Strathdon
- Shall wedded be with me.'
- They have taken Eppie Morrie,
- And horse back bound her on,
- And then awa to the Minister,
- As fast as horse could gang.
- He's taken out a pistol,
- And set it to the minister's breast:
- Marry me, marry me, minister,
- Or else I'll be your priest.'
- Haud far awa frae me, good sir,
- Haud far awa frae me;
- For there's not a man in all Strathdon
- That shall married be with me.'
- Haud far awa frae me, Willie,
- Haud far awa frae me;
- For I darna avow to marry you,
- Except she's as willing as ye.'
- They have taken Eppie Morrie,
- Since better could nae be,
- And they're awa to Carrie side,
- As fast as horse could flee.
- When mass was sung, and bells were rung,
- And all were bound for bed,
- Then Willie an Eppie Morrie
- In one bed they were laid.
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- Haud far awa frae me, Willie,
- Haud far awa frae me;
- Before I'll lose my maidenhead,
- I'll try my strength with thee.'
- She took the cap from off her head
- And threw it to the way;
- Said, Ere I lose my maidenhead,
- I'll fight with you till day.
- Then early in the morning,
- Before her clothes were on,
- In came the maiden of Scalletter,
- Gown and shirt alone.
- Get up, get up, young woman,
- And drink the wine wi me;'
- You might have called me maiden,
- I'm sure as leal as thee.'
- Wally fa you, Willie,
- That ye could nae prove a man
- And taen the lassie's maidenhead!
- She would have hired your han.'
- Haud far awa frae me, lady,
- Haud far awa frae me;
- There's not a man in a' Strathdon
- The day shall wed wi me.'
- Soon in there came Belbordlane,
- With a pistol on every side:
- Come awa hame, Eppie Morrie,
- And there you'll be my bride.'
- Go get to me a horse, Willie,
- And get it like a man,
- And send me back to my mother
- A maiden as I cam.
- The sun shines oer the westlin hills;
- By the light lamp of the moon,
- Just saddle your horse, young John Forsyth,
- And whistle, and I'll come soon.'
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