Johnnie Armstrong

Some speak of lords, some speak of lairds Some speak of man of high degree Of a gentle man I did sing a song Sometime called Lord of Gilnocky The king he writes a loving letter, with his own hand so tenderly And he has sent it to johnny armstrong To come and speak with him speedily The Elliots and the Armstrongs did converse They were a gallant company We'll ride and meet our lawful king And bring him safe to Gilnocky McDune and Cape already fell There is sun in great plenty, We'll welcome home our royal king And hope he'll dine in Gilnocky Now John he is for Edinburgh bound And his eight score men so gallantly And each upon a milk-white steed, With buckles and swords hanging down to their knees When Johnny came before the king He fell down upon his knee Oh pardon my sovereign liege he said Pardon my eight score men and me Away, away thou traitor strong Out of my sight you soon will be I have never granted any traitor's life And I'll not begin with thee Away, away thou traitor strong Out of my sight you soon will be For tomorrow morning by the ten o'clock You shall hang on the gallows tree Grant me my life my liege my king And a bonnie gift I'll give to thee Four and twenty mills complete That work all around the year for me Grant me my life my liege my king [Note: there are another page and a half of lyrics; Sorry I couldn't give them all. Maybe I could email them to you if you have an email address.]