The Twa Sisters- Child 10- Version E; From Sharpe's mother; from A Ballad Book, No 10, p. 30. 1824
[From: A Ballad Book, or Popular and Romantic Ballads and Songs current in Annadale and other Parts of Scotland edited by Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe. The note in the Sharpe's Ballad Book, ed. of 1880, note, p. 129 says, "My mother used to sing this song." Sharp's notes follow.
This version, missing the ending, is similar to Mrs. Brown's version, Child B.
R. Matteson 2018]
Additional end notes: Various sets of this song have been printed. It was popular both in England and Scotland. The air is beautiful.— C.K.S.
THE TWA SISTERS- Sharpe's Ballad Book, No 10, p. 30. 1824
1 There livd twa sisters in a bower,
Hey Edinbruch, how Edinbruch!
There lived twa sisters in a bower,
Stirling for aye!
The youngest o them O she was a flower!
Bonny Sanct Johnstoune that stands upon Tay!
2 There cam a squire frae the west,
Hey Edinbruch, how Edinbruch!
There cam a squire frae the west,
Stirling for aye!
He loed them baith, but the youngest best.
Bonny Sanct Johnstoune that stands upon Tay!
3 He gied the eldest a gay gold ring,
Hey Edinbruch, how Edinbruch!
He gied the eldest a gay gold ring,
Stirling for aye!
But he loed the youngest aboon a' thing.
Bonny Sanct Johnstoune that stands upon Tay!
4 'O sister, sister, will ye go to the sea?
Hey Edinbruch, how Edinbruch!
'O sister, sister, will ye go to the sea?
Stirling for aye!
Our father's ships sail bonnilie.'
Bonny Sanct Johnstoune that stands upon Tay!
5 The youngest sat down upon a stane;
Hey Edinbruch, how Edinbruch!
The youngest sat down upon a stane;
Stirling for aye!
The eldest shot the youngest in.
Bonny Sanct Johnstoune that stands upon Tay!
6 'O sister, sister, lend me your hand,
Hey Edinbruch, how Edinbruch!
'O sister, sister, lend me your hand,
Stirling for aye!
And you shall hae my gouden fan.
Bonny Sanct Johnstoune that stands upon Tay!
7 'O sister, sister, save my life,
Hey Edinbruch, how Edinbruch!
'O sister, sister, save my life,
Stirling for aye!
And ye shall be the squire's wife.'
Bonny Sanct Johnstoune that stands upon Tay!
8 First she sank, and then she swam,
Hey Edinbruch, how Edinbruch!
First she sank, and then she swam,
Stirling for aye!
Untill she cam to Tweed mill-dam.
Bonny Sanct Johnstoune that stands upon Tay!
9 The millar's daughter was baking bread,
Hey Edinbruch, how Edinbruch!
The millar's daughter was baking bread,
Stirling for aye!
She went for water, as she had need.
Bonny Sanct Johnstoune that stands upon Tay!
10 'O father, father, in our mill-dam
Hey Edinbruch, how Edinbruch!
'O father, father, in our mill-dam
Stirling for aye!
There's either a lady, or a milk-white swan.'
Bonny Sanct Johnstoune that stands upon Tay!
11 They could nae see her fingers small,
Hey Edinbruch, how Edinbruch!
They could nae see her fingers small,
Stirling for aye!
Wi diamond rings they were coverd all.
Bonny Sanct Johnstoune that stands upon Tay!
12 They could nae see her yellow hair,
Hey Edinbruch, how Edinbruch!
They could nae see her yellow hair,
Stirling for aye!
Sae mony knots and platts were there.
Bonny Sanct Johnstoune that stands upon Tay!
13 They could nae see her lilly feet,
Hey Edinbruch, how Edinbruch!
They could nae see her lilly feet,
Stirling for aye!
Her gowden fringes war sae deep.
Bonny Sanct Johnstoune that stands upon Tay!
14 Bye there cam a fiddler fair,
Hey Edinbruch, how Edinbruch!
Bye there cam a fiddler fair,
Stirling for aye!
And he's taen three taits o her yellow hair.
Bonny Sanct Johnstoune that stands upon Tay!