There were three sisters lived in a bower And they went out for to pull a flower, They went out for to pull a flower, Down by the bonnie banks o Fordie-o.
Now they had not pulled a flower but one When up there stepped a banished man, etc.
And he's taken the first one by the hand And he's turned her round and he's made her stand,
“Oh, it's will ye be a robber's wife? Or will you die by my pen knife?
“Oh, it's I'll not be a robber's wife! I would rather die by your pen knife.”
So he's taken out his little pen knife And there he's twined her of her life.
And he's taken the second one by the hand And he's turned her round and he's made her stand.
“Oh, it's will you be a robber's wife? Or will you die by my pen knife?”
“Oh it's I'll not be a robber's wife! I'd rather die by your pen knife.”
So he's taken out his little pen knife An there he's twined her of her life.
And he's taken the third one by the hand And he's turned round and he's made her stand.
“Oh, it's will you be a robber's wife? Or will you die by my pen knife?”
“Oh, it's I'll nor be a robber's wife Nor will I die by your pen knife.
For I have a brother in yonder tree And if you kill me then he'll kill thee!”
“Come tell to me your brother's name!” “Oh, my brother's name it is Babylon.”
“Oh sister, sister, I've done you wrong, Oh sister, sister, I have done you wrong!”
And he's taken out his little pen knife And there he's taken his own sweet life.