The Loch o the Loanie- Campbell pre-1830 Child N
[Version N was added in a later edition. The Campbell Manuscripts are dated 1830 or earlier as 'Old Scottish Songs collected in the counties of Berwick, Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles' in 2 volumes; collector unknown. They are hosued at Marchmont House, in Berwickshire.]
The Loch o the Loanie- Version N; The Cruel Mother; Child 20
'The Loch o the Loanie,' Campbell Manuscripts, II, 264.
1. As I lookit o'er my father's castle wa,
All alone and alone O
I saw two pretty babes playing at the ba.
Down by yon green-wood sidie
2. 'O pretty babes, gin ye were mine,'
Hey the loch o the Loanie
'I would clead ye o the silk sae fine.'
Down by that green-wood sidie
3. 'O sweet darlings, gin ye were mine,'
Hey the loch o the Loanie
'I would feed ye on the morning's milk.'
Down by the green-wood sidie
4. 'O mither dear, when we were thine,'
By the lock o the Loanie
'Ye neither dressd us wi silk nor twine.'
Down by this green-wood sidie
5. 'But ye tuke out your little pen-knife,'
By the lock o the Loanie
'And there ye tuke yer little babes' life.'
Down by the, etc.
6. 'O mither dear, when this ye had done,'
Alone by the lock o the Loanie
'Ye unkirtled yersel, and ye wrapt us in 't.'
Down by the lock o the Loanie
7. 'Neist ye houkit a hole fornent the seen.'
All alone and alone O
'And tearless ye stappit your little babes in'
Down by the lock o the Loanie
8. 'But we are in the heavens high,'
And far frae the loch o the Loanie
'But ye hae the pains o hell to d[r]ie.'
Before ye leave the green-wood sidie