On one day as I was walking by myself all alone,
I heard two young ones talking, they were talking all alone.
Said the young one to the fair one, "Bonny lassie", said he,
"Our king he have commanded us, and his orders we must obey."

"That's not what you promised me when you did me beguile:
You promised for to marry me as we walked many a mile.
Do not me forsake but pity on me take, great fear is my woe:
Through Scotland, France and Ireland, along with you I will go."

"As long as we're travelling, that would hurt your tender feet:
Over hills and lofty mountains that would cause you for to weep.
Beside that you would not consent to laying in the fields all night long;
And your parents would be angry if along o'me you gang.

But since you are so vextillous as to risk your sweet life,
So first I will marry you and make you my lawful wife;
Then if anyone offend you I'll protect you, and that you shall see --
I will take you where the drums and trumpets sound, in the wars of High Germany."