Charles Grahame

Cauld cauld blows the winter night,
Sair beats the heavy rain,
Young Charles Grahame's the lad I love,
In greenwood he lies slain.

But I will do for Charles Grahame
What other maidens may,
I'll sit and harp upon his grave
A twelvemonth and a day.

She harped a' the livelong night,
The saut tears she did weep,
Till at the hour o' one o' clock
His ghost began to peep.

Pale and deadly was his cheek,
And pale pale was his chin;
And how and hollow were his een
No light appear'd therein.

Why sit ye here, ye maiden fair
To mourn sae sair for me?
I am sae sick, and very love sick,
Ae foot I cannot jee.

Sae well's I lov'd young Charles Graeme,
I kent he loved me;
My very heart's now like to break,
For his sweet companie.

Will ye hae an apple, Lady,
And I will sheave it sma?
I am sae sick, and very love sick
I cannot eat at a'.

Will ye hae the wine, Lady,
And I will drain it sma?
I am sae sick, and very love sick,
I cannot drink at a'.

See ye not my father's castle
Well cover'd ower wi tin?
There's nane has sic an anxious wish
As I hae to be in.

O hame, fair maid, ye'se quickly won,
But this request grant me,
When ye are safe in down bed laid
That I may sleep with thee.

If hame again Sir I could win
I'll this request grant thee
When I am safe in down bed laid
This might ye'se sleep wi me.

Then he poud up a birken bow
Pat it in her right hand,
And they are to yon castle fair
As fast as they could gang.

When they came to yon castle fair
It was piled round about;
She slipped in and bolted the yetts,
Says - ghaists may stand thereout.

Then he vanished frae her sight
In the twinkling o' an ee;
Says - let never ane a woman trust
As much as I've done thee.

• Tune (Scots Musical Museum) gif midi mov
• Tune (David Glen) gif midi mov

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Copyright © 2001, Jack Campin