| Music File Lesley Nelson |
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| These words were written in the time after Culloden, when many loyal to the Stuart cause fled abroad. The words were matched to an old Highland air.
For other Jacobite tunes go to the bottom of The Contemplator's Short History of the Jacobite Uprisings. |
Fare thee wee!, my native cot, Bothy o' the birken tree! Sair the heart and hard the lot 0' the lad that parts wi' thee. My good grandsire's hand thee reared, Then the wicker work was full; Mony a Campbell's glen he cleared, Hit the buck and houghed the bull. Never hand in thee yet bred Kendna how the sword to wield; Never heart of thee had dread Of the foray or the field; Ne'er on straw, mat, bulk, or bed, Son of thine lay down to die; Every lad within thee bred Died beneath heaven's open e'e. Charlie Stuart he came here For our king, as right became; Wha could shun the Bruce's heir? Wha could tine our royal name? Firm to stand, and free to fa', Forth we marched right valiantly. Gane is Scotland's king and law! Woe to the Highlands and to me! Freeman yet, I'11 scorn to fret. Here nae langer I maun stay; But when I my hame forget, May my heart forget to play! Fare thee well, my father's cot, Bothy o' the birken tree! Sair the heart and hard the lot 0' the lad that parts wi' thee. |
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Songs That Made History See Bibliography for full information. |
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