Lyrics

[Verse 1] There was a lady in the north I ne're could find her marrow She was courted by nine gentlemen And a poor plowboy frae Yarrow [Verse 2] These nine sat drinkin at the wine Sat drinkin wine in Yarrow An they made a plot amang themselves Tae fecht for her on Yarrow [Verse 3] He says, "There's nine o' you and but one o' me It's an unequal marrow" But I'll fecht ye all one by one On the Dowie Dens o' Yarrow [Verse 4] She's combed his hair, she's washed his face As she had done before o She's dressed him like a brave young knight To fight fae her in Yarrow [Verse 5] As he went up yon high, high hill And doon with the homes of Yarrow It was there he saw nine armed men Come tae fight fae her in Yarrow [Verse 6] And there they flew, and there he slew An' there he's wounded sorely 'Til her brother, John, came in beyond And he wounded him most foully [Verse 7] As she went up yon high, high hill An' doon be the homes of Yarrow It was there she saw her own true love Lyin' pale and wanned on Yarrow [Verse 8] Her hair it bein three quarters lang The colour of it was yellow She's wrapped it round his middle sae small An she bore him doon tae Yarrow [Verse 9] "Oh, Faither dear, ye hae seiven sons You may wed them all tomorrow For the fairest flower among them all Lies dead and wan on Yarrow."