Francis James Child

“ I'll stand my ground,' says Johnnie Scott,
'One foot I'd scorn to fly.'
When the Italian was brought out,
A fearsome sight was he;
Between his brows three women's spang,
His shoulders was yards three.
As Johnnie, being a crafty lad,
Well tried at the sword was he,
Upon the point of his broad sword
He made the Italian die. ”

“ And Johnnie Scott's my name.'
'If you be Johnnie Scott,' says he,
'As I suppose you be,
The fairest flower in all England
Is big with child by thee.'
'If she be big with child,' said he,
'As I hope her to be,
I'll make it heir of all my lands,
And she my gay lady.'
'O no,' then the king he crys,
'There's no such thing will be;
There is an Italian in my court,
And by his hands ye'll die.'
'I'll stand my ground,' says Johnnie Scott,
'I'll stand it till I die ”

“ My breast-plate's o the strong, strong steel,
Instead of beaten gold.
'But tell him for to bide away,
And not come near to be,
For there's a champion in my father's ha
Will fight him till he dee.'
'What news, what news, my little boy?
What news have ye to me?'
'No news, no news, my master dear,
But what I will tell thee.
'Her doors they are all shut, kind sir,
Her windows round about;
Her feet are in the fetters strong,
And she cannot get out. ”

“ Shall go along with thee.
When Johnie was on saddle set,
Right comely to be seen,
There was not so much as a married man
In Johnie's companie;
There was not so much as a married man,
Not a one only but ane. ”

“ And he sent it to Johnie Scot,
To speak at his command.
When Johnie read this letter long,
The tear blindit his ee:
'I must away to Old England;
King Edward writes for me.'
Out and spak his mother dear,
She spoke aye in time:
Son, if thou go to Old England,
I fear thou'll neer come hame.
Out and spoke a Scotish prince,
And a weel spoke man was he:
Here's four and twenty o my braw troops,
To bear thee companie.
Away they gade, awa they rade,
Away they rade so slie;
There was not a maried man that day
In Johnie's companie. ”

“ Up spak the king himsel,
An angry man was he:
The morn eer I eat or drink
Hie hangit sall he be.
Up spak Johnie's ae best man,
That stood by Johnie's knie:
Afore our master he be slain
We'll aw fecht till we die. ”

“ From the jail-window looking out.
'Come down, true-love,' said Johnnie Scott,
'And now you'll ride behind me;
Before I leave fair England
Some life shall die for thee.'
'My feet are in the fetters strong,
I'm belted round about ”

“ And see poor Johnnie slain.
y fought on, and Johnie fought on,
Wi swords of tempered steel,
Until the drops of red, red blood
Ran prinkling down the field.
They fought on, and Johnie fought on,
They fought so manfullie
They left not a man alive in all the king's court,
Not a man only but three. ”