1. Now Gilderoy was as bonny a boy as Scotland ever bred,
He'd knots of ribbons on his shoes and a scarlet cloak so red.
He was beloved by the ladies all; he was such a rakish boy
But he was my sovereign heart's delight, my handsome Gilderoy.
2. Now Gilderoy and I was born both in one town together
And not past seven years of age that we did love each other.
Our dads and mothers did agree and crowned with mirth and joy
To think upon the bridal day 'twixt me and Gilderoy.
3. Now Gilderoy and I walked out when we were both fifteen
And gently he did lay me down among the leaves so green.
When he had done what he could do he rose and went away;
He was my sovereign heart's delight, my handsome Gilderoy.
4. Now what a pity, a man be hanged for stealing a woman there
For he stole neither house nor land, nor stole neither horse nor mare.
Yet none dare meet him face to face, he was such a rakish boy,
At length with numbers he was taken, my handsome Gilderoy.
5. Now Gilderoy is in Edinburgh Town; it's long ere I was there,
They hanged him on the gallows high and he wagged in the air.
His relics they were more esteemed than Hector's were at Troy,
I never loved to see the face that gazed on Gilderoy.
6. Now Gilderoy is dead and gone, and how then shall I live?
With a brace of pistols at my side, I'll guard his lonely grave.
They hanged him on the gallows high for being such a rakish boy,
But he was my sovereign heart's delight, my handsome Gilderoy.
