Prince William- M. Robertson (Aber) c.1880 Carpenter
[From: James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/11/155, Disc Side 149, 01:56, missing some stanzas. Her name changes to Marget, a common shortened variant. The last line has "brattle"? which usually means to make a noise or is a type of noise (made with feet).
R. Matteson 2018]
Prince William- sung by Mrs Mary Stewart Robertson, of 6 Auchreddie Road, New Deer, learned from grandmother Mrs. Mary MacPhe Stewart, 50 years ago, her grandmother was about 80 when she died. Collected in 1932.
1. He lichted Lady Margaret on a white-milk steed,
An himsel' on a dapple an' a grey,
His sword and his buckle [bugle] hung by his side,
And so slowly he rode away.
2. She stood and she stood,
An' she far better stood,
Till she sa' her seven brothers fa',
An' her father who stood close by.
3. "O haud your hand, Prince William," she said,
"Your blows are so wondrous sore,
"For sweethearts sweethearts I may get plenty,
But a father I'll never get no more."
4. "Take it in your choice, Lady Margaret," he said
Either to go or to bide."
"I maun go with you, Prince William
For you've left me nae to be my guide."
5. He lichted Lady Margaret on a white-milk steed,
An himsel' on a dapple an' a grey,
An' the sword an' buckle [bugle] it hung by his side,
An' he's come bleedin' away.
6. They rode an they rode, and they far better rode,
Till they came to a bonny spring waal [well],
"Ye'll haud my steed Lady Marget," he said
Till I tak a drink o the spring."
7. "Oh rise, oh rise, Prince William," she says,
"Oh rise, oh rise," said she,
For I think I see your very heart's blood
A-running doon this spring."
8. O they rode an' they rode, and they far better rode,
Till they came tae his father's gate,
"Oh open your gates, baith broad an' wide,
Open yer gates tae me,
For I think I've gained as fair lady
As stands in this country today.
9. Prince William died in the middle o' the night,
Lady Marget by the break o' day,
An' there grows a red rose at Lady Marget's head
An' at Prince William's a brattle an' a briar.