Eppy Moray

Four-and-twenty Highland menCome from the Carron sideTo carry away Eppy Moray forShe would not be a bride, a bride,She would not be a bride.Then out it came her mither forIt was a moonlit night,She couldn't see her daughter forThe moon it shone so bright, so brightThe moon it shone so bright.Hold away from me, mither,Hold away from me!There's not a man in all StrathdonShould married be with me, with me,Should married be with me.They've taken Eppy Moray,And a horse they've bound her on,And they had rid to the minister's houseAs fast as horse could run, could run,As fast as horse could run.[ Then Willie he's taken his pistol outAnd set it to the minister's breast,O marry me, marry me, minister,Or else I'll be your priest, your priestOr else I'll be your priest.Hold away from me, Willie,Hold away from me,I not avow to marry youExcept she's willing as thee, as thee,Except she's willing as thee.They've taken Eppy Moray then,She'd better could not be,And they have rid over Carron sideAs fast as horse could flee, could flee,As fast as horse could flee.Then mass was sung and bells were rungAnd they're away to bed,And Willie and Eppy Moray,In ane bed they were laid, were laidIn ane bed they were laid. ]He's taken the sack from off his backAnd kicked away his shoes,And thrown away the chamber key,And naked he's lay down, lay downAnd naked he's lay down.Hold away from me, Willie,Hold away from me,Before I lose my maidenheadI'll try my strength with thee, with thee.I'll try my strength with thee.He's kissed her on the lily breastAnd held her shoulders twaBut aye she grat and aye she spatAnd turned to the wall, the wall,And turned to the wall.All through the night they wrestled thereUntil the light of day,And Willie grat and Willie swatBut he could not stretch her spey, her speyHe could not stretch her spey.Weary fa' you, Willie, then,For you could not prove a man,For if you gained her maidenheid,She would have held your hand, your hand,She would have held your hand.Go away from me, Lady,Go away from me!There's not a man in all StrathdonShall married be with me, with me,Shall married be with me.Go fetch me a horse,And fetch it like a man,And send me back to my mitherA maiden as I came, I cameA maiden as I came.