The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border

This ballad was communicated to me by Mr James Hogg; and, although it bears a strong resemblance to that of Earl Richard, so strong, indeed, as to warrant a supposition, that the one has been derived from the other, yet its intrinsic merit seems to warrant its insertion.  Mr Hogg has added the following note, which, in the course of my enquiries, I have found most fully corroborated.

“I am fully convinced of the antiquity of this song; for, although much of the language seems somewhat modernized, this must be attributed to its currency, being much liked, and very much sung, in this neighbourhood.  I can trace it back several generations, but cannot hear of its ever having been in print.  I have never heard it with any considerable variation, save that one reciter called the dwelling of the feigned sweetheart, Castleswa.”