All about you and the winds blows cold, and the round tables begin
Oh there is come to our kings court many well favoured man.
The queen looked over the castle wall beheld both vale and down
And there she spied young Water come a riding to the town.
His footmen they did run before and his horsemen rode behind
A mantel of the burning gold to keep him from the wind
Gold and honest his horse before and silver short behind
The horse young Waters rode upon was swifter than the wind.
Then up spoke a wildly lord and unto the queen says he
Oh tell me who is the fairest face rides in the company
Oh I've seen lord and I've seen laird and knights of high degree
But young Waters is the fairest face that ever mine eyes did see.
Then up spoke the jealous king and an angry man was he
Oh if he had been twice as fair you might have accepted me
You're neither lord nor laird she said, but the king that wears the crown
And there is not a knight in all of Scotland but to thee must bow down
But for all that she could do or say a pleased he would not be
And for the words that the queen had spoke young Waters he must die
And they have taken young Waters and put fetters on his feet
And they have taken young Waters and thrown him in dungeons deep
Oft have I ridden to Sterling town in the wind both and the wet
But I never rode to Sterling town with fetters on my feet
Oft have I ridden to Sterling town in the wind both and the rain
But I never rode to Sterling town never to return again
For they have taken to the heading hill, his young son in his cradle
And they have taken to the heading hill, his horse both and his saddle
And they have taken to the heading hill his lady fair to see
And for the words that the queen had spoke young Waters he did die