There was a squire in Edinburgh lived and a squire of high degree
He came to court a country girl and a comely maid was she
When her father came to hear of it oh and angry man was he
He requested of his daughter dear for to shun his company.
Now there was a farmer in the east and he had one only son
He came to court this country girl until he had her won
He got consent from her father and mother from old and young like wise
But still she cries I am undone while the tears rolled from her eyes.
She wrote her love on a letter and she sealed it with her hand
Saying my dearest dear I'm going to be wed unto a farmers son
The very first line he read of it he smiled and this did say
Oh, I will deprive him of his bride all on his wedding day.
Well he wrote her back in a letter and to be sure and dress in green
And a suit of the same I will put on just for your wedding day
He looked east and he looked west he looked all over his lands
And he had amounted his score men all of the Scottish clan.
Well he mounted two on every steed and a single man road he
And now there gone to Edinburgh town with the company dressed in green.
Come here come here your welcome here where have you been all day
And who are all those gentlemen that are riding out this way.
Well he laughed at her he scoffed at them and he smiled and this did say
Oh there may have been some jolly troops that would right out today
They filled him a glass of Newport wine he drank to the company round
Happy is the man he says the man they call the groom
But happier is the man he says, that will enjoy the bride
For another might like her as well as him and take her from his side
Then up spoke the intended groom and an angry man was he
If it? s for a fight that you've come here well I? m the man for thee
It? s not for a fight that I've come here but friendship for to show
Saying give me one kiss of your bonny lips and away from you I? ll go
He caught hold of her lily white around the middle so small
And brought her out of the wedding house with out the leave of all
He brought her out of the wedding house with out the leave of me
And away, away from Edinburgh went with the company dressed in green.