News has to the kitchen gone and news gone to the hall
And news gone up to madam the queen sure that’s the warst of all
That Mary Hamilton’s borne a babe to the highest Stewart of all.

Arise arise Mary Hamilton arise and tell to me
What thou hast done with that wee babe I saw and heard weep by thee.

I put him in a small boat and cast him out to sea
That he might sink or he might float but he’ll never come back to me.

Arise arise Mary Hamilton and come along with me
There is a wedding in Glasgow town tonight we’ll go and see.

She put not on her robes of black nor yet her robes of brown
But she put on a gown of white to ride into Glasgow town.

And as she rode into Glasgow town the city for to see
The bailiff’s wife and the provost’s wife cried out alas for she.

Oh do not weep for me she cried oh do not weep forme
For if I had not slain my own wee babe this death I would not die.

Oh little did my mother think the day she cradled me
The land I was to travel on and the death I was to die.

Cast off cast off my gown she cried but let my petticoat be
And tie a napkin around my eyes so the gallows I will not see.

Oh out then came the king himself looking up with a sorrowful eye
Come down come down Mary Hamilton tonight you’ll dine with me.

Oh hold your tongue my southern liege and let your fellow be
For if you have the mind to save my life you’d never have brought me here.

Last night there were four Marys tonight there will be but three
There’s Mary Seaton and Mary Beaton and Mary Carmichael and me.