Lord Ullin's Daughter

A chieftain, to the Highlands bound,Cries, ``Boatman, do not tarry!And I'll give thee a silver poundTo row us o'er the ferry!''--

``Now, who be ye, would cross Lochgyle,5This dark and stormy weather?''``O, I'm the chief of Ulva's isle,And this, Lord Ullin's daughter.--

``And fast before her father's menThree days we've fled together,10For should he find us in the glen,My blood would stain the heather.

``His horsemen hard behind us ride;Should they our steps discover,Then who will cheer my bonny bride15When they have slain her lover?''--

Out spoke the hardy Highland wight,--``I'll go, my chief--I'm ready:--It is not for your silver bright;But for your winsome lady:20

``And by my word! the bonny birdIn danger shall not tarry;So, though the waves are raging white,I'll row you o'er the ferry.''--

By this the storm grew loud apace,25The water-wraith was shrieking;And in the scowl of heaven each faceGrew dark as they were speaking.

But still as wilder blew the wind,And as the night grew drearer,30Adown the glen rode armèd men,Their trampling sounded nearer.--

``O haste thee, haste!'' the lady cries,``Though tempests round us gather;I'll meet the raging of the skies,35But not an angry father.''--

The boat has left a stormy land,A stormy sea before her,--When, O! too strong for human hand,The tempest gather'd o'er her.40

And still they row'd amidst the roarOf waters fast prevailing:Lord Ullin reach'd that fatal shore,--His wrath was changed to wailing.

For, sore dismay'd through storm and shade,45His child he did discover:--One lovely hand she stretch'd for aid,And one was round her lover.

``Come back! come back!'' he cried in grief``Across this stormy water:50And I'll forgive your Highland chief,My daughter!--O my daughter!''

'Twas vain: the loud waves lash'd the shore,Return or aid preventing:The waters wild went o'er his child,55And he was left lamenting.