There was a bonnie Scottish lass,
She had two lovers green as grass;
This fair maiden’s name was Mary,
And she was playful as a fairy.
Lovers haunted her night and day,
She could not make thera stay away;
Two then sought favor in her eyes,
But both alike she did despise.
She promised each one to reward,
If ho would go to the church yard,
Which was close by, the first dark night
So that the other he would fright.
No other road it could be found
To Mary’s, save by burial ground;
She knew that each was coward loon,
When nights were dark without a moon.
When each for to secure his bride,
He in the grave yard then did hide,
Each thinking ’twas a glorious lark
To frighten other in the dark.
But both wore cowards—far from brave,
Each trembled alongside of grave
Expecting to see ghost arise,
Strange sights they float before their eyes.
Both had around them sheets so white
Each wished the other for to fright,
While rival on the road did pass,
They both quick rose, but sad, alas.
Each saw a ghost; the one did faint,
The other’s horror who can paint;
He there severelyy bruised his bones,
Madly rushing o’er grave stones.
And he did get a fearful fall,
Jumping o’er the churchyard wall;
They both fell sick and lost their pride,
And neither went to claim his bride.
When they arose from their sick bed,
They heard the news that Mary wed
A brave and handsome farmer’s son,
Who never from a ghost had run.