[2] A blind harp-player resolves to steal King Henry of England's brown horse, in some versions, as a result of a bet for substantial stakes.
[10] In fact, traditionally, a good proportion of harpists were blind and these were often the most accomplished, for example, Turlough O’Carolan from Ireland (1670–1738), Ruairidh Dall Morison from Scotland (1646–1725) and John Parry (Bardd Alaw) from Wales (1760–1765).
Then he has fixd a good strong cord Unto his grey mare's bridle-rein, And tied it unto that steed's tail, Syne shut the stable-door behin.
He's to yon stable snug and neat, That lay a little below the toun; For there he placed his ain grey mare, Alang wi Henry's Wanton Brown.
As soon's the door he had unshut, The mare gaed prancing frae the town, An at her bridle-rein was tied Henry's statey Wanton Brown.
Then forth he ran, and in he came, Dropping mony a feigned tear: 'Some rogue[s] hae broke the outer court, An stown awa my gude grey mare.'
When that John his money received, Then he went harping frae the toun, But little did King Henry ken He'd stown awa his Wanton Brown.
'I hae been into fair England, An even into Lunan toun, An in King Henry's outer court, An stown awa the Wanton Brown.'
Then he drew out a gude lang purse, Well stored wi gowd an white monie, An in a short time after this The Wanton Brown he lat them see.