Lord Douglas Songtext
von Jim Moray

Awake, awake, arise, you seven sleepers
So long before the day
For Lord Douglas comes all in your lady′s chamber
To steal his love away
Put on, put on the gold and chains of silver
Don't let your father know
That I will take in hand his youngest daughter
And to the hills we′ll go
But there was one in the lady's house
Who heard what they did say
He rang the bells both loud and shrill
So long before the day
Awake, awake, arise, you seven brothers
Put on your armour bright
For Lord Douglas comes all in your lady's chamber
To steal his love by light


They had not rode but few short miles together
Across the wooded green
Well, lie down, lie down, he says, my own true lover
For dawn is coming in
The sourwood and the ash grew up together
Across the wooded plain
And all the trees in the greenwood start to tremble
To whisper Douglas′ name
I think I hear your father′s steed
His hooves upon the ground
And I will wager that it won't be long
′Til we are found
But I have run from all that was before me
And put my house to shame
So fear the curse my mother placed upon me
And dare not speak my name

Lie down, lie down, he says, my own true lover
And hold my steed to stand
While I do go and fight your seven brothers
And your father just at hand
So well she stood and held his horse in harness
She never shed a tear
Until his keening blade took seven brothers
And the father she held so dear
Hold your hand, my love, she says
Your strokes are wondrous sore
For sweethearts I will have again
But father I'll get no more
Hold off, hold off, Lord Douglas, she calls towards him
She calls him by his name
For all the blood that you have shed in anger
Love runs in every vein


Oh you must choose, oh choose then, Lady Margaret
If you do stay or bide
Well I must go with you into the greenwood
Since you have left no guide
So he′s placed her on the saddle seat beside him
His sword hung to the ground
And how his wounds did tremble and did quaver
And soaked his shirt with blood
Lie down and rest, my love, she says
I fear that you were slain
Your body trembles to the touch
There's not much life within
They had not rode but few short miles together
′Til they came to the town
Oh mother, make my bed then, cries Lord Douglas
For I want to lie down

But slowly, slowly the sun rose up before them
The cocks began to crow
For every wound Lord Douglas had upon him
The crimson blood did flow
Lord Douglas died so long before the morning
His love, she died tomorrow
Lord Douglas died of the wounds her father gave him
His lady died for sorrow
She was buried in the yard
And he was buried by her
And out her heart a crimson rose
And out his heart a briar
The briar and the rose grew up together
'Til they could get no higher
And there they twined a true love's knot together
For all love to admire