With his own hand so tenderly,
And he hath sent it to Johnnie Armstrong,
To come and speak with him speedily.

The Elliotts and Armstrongs did convene,
They were a gallant company;
"We'll ride and meet our lawful king,
And bring him safe to Gilnockie."

They ran their steeds on the Langholm holm,
They ran their steeds with might and main;
The ladies looked from their high windows,
God bring our men well back again.

John stopped here and said, "he did not remember the whole ballad, for it
was very long, but he knew that the story was that Johnnie was deceived by
the king, who only wanted to get him into his power, by enticing him out
of his own country; and having succeeded in this, he caused poor Armstrong
and all his followers to be hanged. He would try," he said, and "remember
the last two verses, which gave an account of Armstrong's death."

Farewell, my bonny Gilnockhall,
Where on Esk side thou standest stout!
If I had lived but seven years more,
I would have gilt thee round about.

Because they saved their country dear
From Englishmen, none were so bold,
While Johnnie lived on the border side,
None of them durst come near his hold.