Bob's Byway

SIR WALTER SCOTT

1771 - 1832




JOCK O' HAZELDEAN

* This poem provides an example of a literary ballad.
"Why weep ye by the tide, ladie?
  Why weep ye by the tide?
I'll wed ye to my youngest son,
  And ye sall be his bride.
And ye sall be his bride, ladie,
  Sae comely to be seen"--
But aye she loot the tears down fa'
  For Jock o’ Hazeldean.

"Now let this wilfu’ grief be done,
  And dry that cheek so pale;
Young Frank is chief of Errington,
  And lord of Langley-dale;
His step is first in peaceful ha',
  His sword in battle keen"--
But aye she loot the tears down fa'
  For Jock o’ Hazeldean.

"A chain of gold ye sall not lack,
  Nor braid to bind your hair;
Nor mettled hound, nor managed hawk,
  Nor palfrey fresh and fair;
And you, the foremost o' them a',
  Shall ride our forest queen"--
But aye she loot the tears down fa'
  For Jock o’ Hazeldean.

The kirk was decked at morning-tide,
  The tapers glimmer'd fair;
The priest and bridegroom wait the bride,
  And dame and knight are there.
To Ballad in the Glossary
Alphabetic Page Version Entire Glossary Version
They sought her baith by bower and ha'--
  The ladie was not seen!
She's o'er the Border and awa'
  Wi' Jock o’ Hazeldean.