Northern Shore - The Dowie Dens O' Yarrow Lyrics

There was a lady in the North
You scarce would see her marrow
She was courted by nine gentlemen
And a ploo-boy lad frae Yarrow

Oh nine sat drinkin at the wine
As oft they'd done afore-o
And they made a vow among themselves
To fecht for her on Yarrow

And so he's come oer yon high high hill
And doon by the dens sae narrow
It was their he spied nine armed men
Come to fight wi him on Yarrow

He says there's nine o you and but one o me
'Tis an unequal marrow
But I'll fight ye all noo one by one
On the dowie dens o' Yarrow

So it's three he slew, and three withdrew
And three he wounded sairly
Till her brother he came in beyond
And he wounded him maist foully

Gae hame gae hame ye false young man
And bring your sister sorrow
For her ain true love lies pale and wan
On the dowie dens o' Yarrow

Oh mother I hae dreamed a dream
A dream o' doom and sorrow
I dreamed I was pu'in heathery bells
On the dowie dens o' Yarrow

Oh daughter dear I ken your dream
Nae doot it will bring sorrow
For your ain true love lies pale and wan
On the dowie dens o' Yarrow

And so she's run oer yon high high hill
And doon by the dens sae narrow
And it's there she spied her dear lover John
Lyin pale an deed on Yarrow

So she's washed his face, she's cambed his hair
As oft she'd done afore-o
And she's wrapped it roond her middle sae sma
And she's carried him hame to Yarrow

Oh haud yer tongue my daughter dear
What need for a' this sorrow
I'll wed ye tae a far better man
Than the one who's slain on Yarrow

Oh Faether ye hae seven sons
Ye may wed them a' the morrow
But the fairest flooer among them a'
Was the ploo-boy lad frae Yarrow

Oh Mother Mother mak my bed
And mak it soft and narrow
For my love died for me this day
And I'll die for him tomorrow