Lock the door, Larriston, Lion of Linnesdale!
Lock the door, Larriston, Lowther comes on!
The Armstrongs are flyin', the widows are cryin'
Castleton is burning, and Oliver is gone!
Lock the door, Larriston, high in the weather gleam,
See how the Saxon plumes bob in the sky!
Yeoman and carbinier, billman and halbardier!
Fierce is the foray, and far is the cry!
2. Bewcastle brandishes high his bold scimitar,
Ridley is riding his fleet-footed grey!
Hedley and Howard there, Wandale and Windermere,
Lock the door, Larriston, hold them at bay!
Why dost thou smile, oh bold Elliot of Larriston?
Why does the joy-candle gleam in thine eye?
Thou bold border-ranger, beware of thy danger!
Thy foes are relentless, determined and nigh!
3. Elliot raised up his steel bonnet, and lookit out
His hand grasped the sword with a nervous embrace.
Oh welcome brave foemen, on earth there are no men
More gallant to meet in the fray or the chase!
Little know you of the hearts I have hidden here
Little know you of our moss-troopers' might!
Linhope and Sorbie true, Tundhope and Milburn too!
Gentle in manner, but lions in fight!
4. I have Mangerton, Oglvie, Raeburn and Netherbie,
Old Sim of Whitram, and all his array!
Come all Northumberland, Teasdale and Cumberland!
Here at the Breeker tower shall end the affray!
Scowled the broad sun over the links of green Liddesdale
Red as the beacon-light tipped he the wold
Many a bold martial eye mirror'd that morning sky!
Never more looked on his orbit of gold!
5. Shrill was the bugle's note, dreadful the warrior's shout,
Lances and halberds in splinters were torn
Helmet and halberd then braved the claymore in vain
Buckler and armet in shivers were torn!
See how they wane, the proud files of the Windermere
Howard, ah, woe to the hopes of the day!
Hear the wild welkin rend, while the Scots shouts ascend:
Elliot of Larriston! Elliot for aye!
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