I first heard this traditional ballad from the Scottish borders sung by my good friend, fiddler and singer, Adam Jack of Rosewell near Edinburgh.
The provost’s daughter was makin’ her lane
And it’s oh but her love it was easily won
When she heard a Scots prisoner makin’ his mane
Aye and she the fair floo’er o’ Northumberland
And it’s oh gin this lassie wid borrow a key
And it’s oh but her love it was easily won
then I’d mak her a lady o’ high degree
Aye and she the fair floo’er o’ Northumberland
And it’s she has ga’en then tae her faither’s bed stock
and it’s oh but her love it was easily won
Where she’s stolen the key tae mony’s a braw lock
Aye and she the fair floo’er o’ Northumberland
And as they were a ridin’ across the Scots moor
And it’s oh but her love it was easily won
Get doon frae ma horse yer a brazin’ faced whore
Aye and you the fair floo’er o’ Northumberland
For it’s I hae a wife in my ane country
And it’s oh but yer love it was easily won
And I canna be daein’ wi’ a lassie like ye
Aye and you the fair floo’er o’ Northumberland
For it’s cook in my kitchen ye canna weel be
And it’s oh but yer love it was easily won
For my lady she winna hae a servant like ye
Aye and you the fair floo’er o’ Northumberland
But it’s loathe was he this lassie tae tyne
Even though but her love it was easily won
So he’s hired and auld horse and he’s fee’d an auld man
Tae carry her hame tae Northumberland
And it’s when she ga’ed in that her faither did froon
Sayin’ oh but yer love it was easily won
For tae be a Scot’s whore when yer barely fifteen
Aye and you the fair floo’er o’ Northumberland
But it’s when she ga’ed in that her mother she smiled
Sayin’ oh but yer love it was easily won
And you’ll no be the first that those Scots hae beguiled
And ye’re welcome back hame tae Northumberland
For ye winna want breid and ye winna want wine
And its oh but yer love it was easely won
And ye winna need siller for tae fee an auld man
For ye’re still the fair floo’er o’ Northumberland