| There was a battle in the north
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| And nobles there were many
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| And they have killed Sir Charlie Hay
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| And laid the blame on Geordie
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| O he has written a long letter
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| And sent it to his lady:
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| «You must come up to Edinburgh town
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| To see what news of Geordie»
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| When first she looked the letter on
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| She was both red and rosy
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| She had not read a word but two
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| When she grew pale as the lily
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| «Go fetch to me my good grey steed
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| My men shall all go with me
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| For I shall neither eat nor drink
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| Till Edinburgh town shall see me»
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| Then she has mounted her good grey steed
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| Her men they all went with her
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| And she did neither eat nor drink
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| Till Edinburgh town did see her
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| And first appeared the fatal block
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| And then the axe to head him
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| And Geordie coming down the stair
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| With bands of iron upon him
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| Though he was chained in fetters strong
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| Of iron and steel so heavy
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| O not a one in all the court
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| Was so fine a man as Geordie
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| O she’d down on her bended knee
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| I’m sure she’s pale and weary
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| «O pardon, pardon noble kings
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| And give me back my dearie»
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| «Go tell the heading man make haste»
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| Our king replies full lordly
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| «O noble king take all that’s mine
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| But give me back my Geordie»
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| The Gordons came and the Gordons ran
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| And they were stark and steady
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| And aye the word among them all
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| Was Gordons keep you ready
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| An aged lord at the king’s right hand
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| Says «Noble kings, but hear me
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| Let her count out five thousand pounds
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| And give her back her dearie»
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| Some gave her marks, some gave her crowns
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| Some gave her dollars many
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| She’s counted out five thousand pounds
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| And she’s gotten again her dearie
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| She glanced blithe in her Geordie’s face
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| Say «Dear I’ve bought thee Geordie;
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| But the blood would have flowed upon the green
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| Before I lost my laddie»
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| He clasped her by the middle small
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| And he kissed her lips so rosy
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| «The fairest flower of women kind
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| Is my sweet bonny lady» |