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The tragedy of 'Fair Helen' is recalled in the traditional ballad

Oh, would I were where Helen lies
For night and day on me she cries
Oh, would I were where Helen lies
On fair Kirkconnel lea

Oh, Helen fair, beyond compare
I'll mak a garland for yer hair
I'll bind my heart forever mair
Until the day I die

Oh, curs'd the heart that thought the thought
And curs'd the hand that fired the shot
When in my arms Burd Helen dropped
And died for sake o' me

I laid her doon, my sword did draw
Fierce was the fight on Kirtleshaw
I hew'd him doon in pieces sma'
For her that died for me

Oh, would I were where Helen lies
For night and day on me she cries
Out of my bed she bids me rise
Oh, come love, come to me

The story behind the ballad is that in the 16th century Helen Irvine and her suitor Adam Fleming met by the river near Eaglesfield, but a rival for her hand, Richard Bell of Blacket House, came on the scene, and in the ensuing fight a shot intended by Bell for Adam killed Helen instead when she tried to shield him. Fleming then killed his rival; some sources say that he did so immediately, then fled to Spain to avoid arrest, others that Fleming pursued Bell to Spain and killed him there. It is agreed that Fleming became a soldier abroad. Years later he returned, and was eventually buried beside Helen at Kirkconnel. Some sources say that the original ballad was 'improved' by Robert Burns, and others that the tale was immortalised by Sir Walter Scott.