The Slaughter of the Laird of Mellerstain ... As they came in by the Eden side They heard a lady lamenting sair Bewailing the time she was a bride. ... A stately youth of blude and lane ... John Hately, the laird of Mellerstain. "Cowdenknowes, had ye nae lack? And Earlstoun, had ye nae shame? Ye took him away beside my back But ye never saw tae bring him hame" And she has lookit to Fieldiesha So has she through Yirdandstane She lookit to Earlstoun, and she saw the fans, But he's coming hame by West Gordon. And she staggerd and she stood ... ... ... "... ... wude How can I keep my wits When I look on my husband's blood?" "Had we been men as we are women And been at his back when he was slain It should a been tauld for mony a lang year The slaughter of the laird of Mellerstain." Child #230 This incomplete copy is all that Child found. The murder occurred in 1603. SOF oct99
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!