Page:Heir of Linne, an old ballad.pdf/2



RAW near and listen, gentlemen,

to sing a song I will begin,

About a Lord in fair Scotland,

who was the thriftless Heir of Linne.

His father was a right good Lord,

his mother was of high degree;

But they, alas! were dead, him frae,

and he lov’d keeping companie.

To spend the day wi’ merry cheer,

to drink and, revel every night,

To cards and dice from even to morn,

it was, I ween, his heart’s delight.

To ride, to run, to rant, to roar,

to always spend and never spare;

I wot, an’t were the king himself,

of gold and see he might be bare.

Sae fares the thriftless Lord of Linne,

till all his gold is gone and spent;

And he maun sell his lands far broad,

his house, and lands, and all his rent.

His father had a keen steward

John o’ the Scales was called he

But John’s become a gentleman.

And John has got baith gold and see.

Says, ‘ Welcome, welcome, Lord of Linne

‘ let nought disturb thy merry cheer;

‘ If thou wilt sell thy lands sae broad,

, good store of gold ' I give the here.’