There were two sisters sat in a bour, Binnorie, O Binnorie; There came a knight to be their wooer; By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
He courted the eldest with glove and ring, Binnorie, O Binnorie; But he lo’ed the youngest abune a’ thing; By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
He courted the eldest with broach and knife, Binnorie, O Binnorie; But he lo’ed the youngest abune his life; By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
The eldest she was vexed sair, Binnorie, O Binnorie; And sore envied her sister fair; By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
The eldest said to the youngest ane, Binnorie, O Binnorie; “Will ye go and see your father’s ships come in?”-- By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
She’s ta’en her by the lily hand, Binnorie, O Binnorie; And led her down to the river strand; By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
The youngest stude upon a stane, Binnorie, O Binnorie; The eldest came and pushed her in; By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
She took her by the middle sma’, Binnorie, O Binnorie; And dash’d her bonny back to the jaw; By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
“O sister, sister, reach your hand, Binnorie, O Binnorie; And ye shall be heir of half my land.”-- By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
“O sister, I’ll not reach my hand, Binnorie, O Binnorie; And I’ll be heir of all your land; By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
“Shame fa’ the hand that I should take, Binnorie, O Binnorie; It’s twin’d me, and my world’s make.”-- By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
“O sister, reach me but your glove, Binnorie, O Binnorie; And sweet William shall be your love.”-- By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
“Sink on, nor hope for hand or glove! Binnorie, O Binnorie: And sweet William shall better be my love, By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
“Your cherry cheeks and your yellow hair, Binnorie, O Binnorie; Garr’d me gang maiden evermair.”-- By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
Sometimes she sunk, and sometimes she swam, Binnorie, O Binnorie; Until she cam to the miller’s dam; By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
“O father, father, draw your dam! Binnorie, O Binnorie; There’s either a mermaid, or a milk-white swan.”-- By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
The miller hasted and drew his dam, Binnorie, O Binnorie; And there he found a drown’d woman; By the bonny milldams of Binnorie.
