There were twa sisters sat in a bow'r; (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)A knight cam' there, a noble wooer, By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
He courted the eldest wi' glove and ring, (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)But he lo'ed the youngest aboon a' thing, By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
The eldest she was vexed sair, (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)And sair envìed her sister fair, By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
Upon a morning fair and clear, (Binnorie, O Binnorie !)She cried upon her sister dear, By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
`O sister, sister, tak' my hand,' (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)`And let's go down to the river-strand,' By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
She's ta'en her by the lily hand, (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)And down they went to the river-strand By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
The youngest stood upon a stane, (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)The eldest cam' and pushed her in, By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
'O sister, sister, reach your hand!' (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)'And ye sall be heir o' half my land'-- By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
'O sister, reach me but your glove!' (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)'And sweet William sall be your love'-- By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam, (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)Till she cam' to the mouth o' yon mill-dam, By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie
Out then cam' the miller's son (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)And saw the fair maid swimmin' in, By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
'O father, father, draw your dam!' (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)'There's either a mermaid or a swan,' By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
The miller quickly drew the dam, (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)And there he found a drown'd womàn, By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
Round about her middle sma' (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)There went a gouden girdle bra' By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
All amang her yellow hair (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)A string o' pearls was twisted rare, By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
On her fingers lily-white, (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)The jewel-rings were shining bright, By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
And by there cam' a harper fine, (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)Harpèd to nobles when they dine, By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
And when he looked that lady on, (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)He sigh'd and made a heavy moan, By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
He's ta'en three locks o' her yellow hair, (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)And wi' them strung his harp sae rare, By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
He went into her father's hall, (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)And played his harp before them all, By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
And sune the harp sang loud and clear, (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)`Fareweel, my father and mither dear!' By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
And neist when the harp began to sing, (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)'Twas 'Fareweel, sweetheart!' said the string, By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
And then as plain as plain could be, (Binnorie, O Binnorie!)'There sits my sister wha drownèd me! By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.'
