C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Author Unknown

Binnorie

THERE were twa sisters sat in a bower;

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

A knight came there, a noble wooer,

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

He courted the eldest wi’ glove and ring,

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

But he lo’ed the youngest aboon a’ thing—

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

The eldest she was vexèd sair,

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

And sair envied her sister fair—

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

Upon a morning fair and clear

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

She cried upon her sister dear,

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie:—

“O sister, sister, tak’ my hand,”

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

“And let’s go down to the river-strand,

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.”

She’s ta’en her by the lily hand,

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

And down they went to the river-strand,

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

The youngest stood upon a stane,

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

The eldest cam’ and pushed her in,

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

“O sister, sister, reach your hand!”

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

“And ye sall be heir o’ half my land”—

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

“O sister, reach me but your glove!”

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

“And sweet William sall be your love”—

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam,

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

Till she cam’ to the mouth o’ yon mill-dam,

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

Out then cam’ the miller’s son

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

And saw the fair maid soummin’ in,

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

“O father, father, draw your dam!”

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

“There’s either a mermaid or a swan”—

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

The miller quickly drew the dam,

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

And there he found a drowned womán,

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

Round about her middle sma’

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

There went a gowden girdle sma’—

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

All amang her yellow hair

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

A string o’ pearls was twisted rare—

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

On her fingers, lily-white,

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

The jewel-rings were shining bright—

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

And by there cam’ a harper fine,

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

Harpèd to nobles when they dine—

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

And when he looked that lady on,

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

He sighed and made a heavy moan,

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

He’s ta’en three locks o’ her yellow hair,

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

And wi’ them strung his harp sae rare,

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

He went into her father’s hall,

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

And played his harp before them all,

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

And sune the harp sang loud and clear,

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

“Fareweel, my father and mither dear!”—

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

And neist when the harp began to sing,

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

’Twas “Fareweel, sweetheart!” said the string—

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

And then, as plain as plain could be,

(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)

“There sits my sister who drownèd me!”—

By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.

- GENERAL INDEX - SONGS & LYRICS - QUICK INDEX - BIOGRAPHIES - READER’S DIGEST - STUDENT’S COURSE - PORTRAITS - BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD