Braes o' Yarrow- Strachen (OK) c.1930 Moore A
[From the Moores; Ballads & Folk Songs of the Southwest pp. 104-106 (version A)
Mary Strachen of Tulsa, OK was born in Baniffshire, Scotland. Her family moved to Ontario and then relocated in Tulsa in 1925. This was probably collected by the Moores in the 1940s. Mary learned this version from her parents (I'm guessing) before 1930 but it could have been earlier.
R. Matteson 2013, 2016]
The Braes o' Yarrow- Strachen (OK) c.1930;
1. Oh, sister these are midnight dreams
That pass not with the morning.
Then ask not why my reason swims,
In a brain so wildly burning.
2. "Ask me not while I fancy now,
Yon wee bird sings wi' sorrow.
The blood lies mingled wi' the dew
Upon the braes o' Yarrow."
3. "Oh, stay at home, my lord," I cried.
"Oh, stay at home, my marrow.
My cruel brother will you betray
Upon the braes o' Yarrow."
4. My dreams wield high was not of night,
Nor o' the doleful morning.
Thrice on the stream was seen the gleam
That seemed his pride returning.
5. The sword-girt men came doon the glen
An hour before the morrow.
A stubborn knight came him behind
Upon the braes o' Yarrow.
6. Oh, these are red, red drops o' dew
Upon the wild flowers' bosom;
But they couldna' cool my burning brow
And shall not stain my bosom.
7. But from the clouds o' yon dark sky
A cold, cold shroud I'll borrow;
And land and deep shall be my sleep
Upon the braes o' Yarrow.