CFCG7
Word is to the kitchen gone, and word is to the hall,
FG7CAm
And word is up to Madam the Queen
CG7C
And that is the worst of all.
FG7CAmCG7C
That Mary Hamilton has borne a babe, to the highest Stuart of all.
CFCG7
"Arise, arise Mary Hamilton, arise and tell to me,
FG7CAmCG7C
What thou hast done with thy wee babe I saw and heard weep by thee?"
CFCG7
"I put him in a tiny boat, and cast him out to sea,
FG7CAmCG7C
That he might sink or he might swim, but he'd never come back to me."
CFCG7
"Arise, arise Mary Hamilton, arise and come with me;
FG7CAmCG7C
There is a wedding in Glasgow town, this night we'll go and see."
CFCG7
She put not on her robes of black, nor her robes of brown.
FG7CAmCG7C
But she put on her robes of white, to ride into Glasgow town.
CFCG7
And as she rode into Glasgow town the city for to see,
FG7CAmCG7C
The bailiff's wife and the provost's wife cried "ach and alas for thee."
CFCG7
"Ah you need not weep for me," she cried,"you need not weep for me.
FG7CAmCG7C
For had I not slain my own wee babe this night I would not die."
CFCG7
Ah little did my mother think when first she cradled me,
FG7CAmCG7C
The lands I was to travel in and the death I was to die."
CFCG7
Last night I washed the Queen's feet and put the gold in her hair,
FG7CAmCG7C
And the only reward I find for this is the gallows to be my share."
CFCG7
"Cast off, cast off my gown," she cried,"but let my petticoat be,
FG7CAmCG7C
And tie a napkin 'round my face; the gallows I would not see."
CFCG7
Then by and come the King himself, looked up with a pitiful eye,
FG7CAmCG7C
"Come down, come down Mary Hamilton, tonight, you will dine with me."
CFCG7
"Ah hold your tongue, my sovereign liege, and let your folly be;
FG7CAmCG7C
For if you'd a mind to save my life, you'd never have shamed me here.
CFCG7
Last night there were four Marys, tonight there'll be but three.
FG7CAmCG7C
There was Mary Beaton and Mary Seaton and Mary Carmichael and me."