Classic Poem

Babylon: or The Bonnie Banks o Fordie

1.

There were three maids lived in a barn
Heckey hi si bernio
When up there rose a wicked man.
On the bonny banks of Bernio.

2.

He took the eldest by the hands,
He whirled her round and made her stand.

3.

" Heckry, lass, will you be young Robey's wife?
Or rather would you die by my penknife? "

4.

" Never will I be young Robey's wife;
Rather would I die by your penknife. "

5.

So he took her life and laid it by
To keep the greensward compan-eye.

6.

He took the next one by the hand,
He whirled her round and made her stand.

7.

" Heckry, lass, will you be young Robey's wife?
Or rather would you die by my penknife? "

8.

" Never will I be young Robey's wife,
Rather would I die by your penknife. "

9.

So he took her life and laid it by,
To keep the greensward compan-eye.

10.

He took the youngest by the hand,
He whirled her round and made her stand.

11.

" Heckry, lass, will you be young Robey's wife?
Or rather would you die by my penknife? "

12.

" Never will I be young Robey's wife.
Neither will I die by your penknife. "

13.

So she took his life and laid it by,
To keep her sisters compan-eye.English