Wha'll Be King But Charlie?
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Lesley Nelson
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Lyrics
The melody was already common in both Ireland and Scotland when Lady Carolina Nairne (1766-1845) adopted Jacobite lyrics to it.

For a complete list of Lady Nairne tunes at this site, enter Lady Nairne in the search engine.

The news frae Moidart cam' yestreen,
Will som gar mony ferlie,
for ships o' war hae just come in.
And landed Royal Charlie!
Come through the heather, around him gather,
Ye're a' the welcomer early
Around him cling wi' a' your kin,
For wha'll be King but Charlie?
Come through the heather, around him gather,
Come, Ronald, come Donald, come a' the gither
And crown your rightfu' lawfu' King!
For wha'll be King, but Charlie?
The Highland clans, wi' sword in hand,
Frae John o'Groats to Airlie,
Ha'e to a man declar'd to stand
Or fa' wi' Royal Charlie!
Come through the heather, around him gather,
Ye're a' the welcomer early
Around him cling wi' a' your kin,
For wha'll be King but Charlie?
Come through the heather, around him gather,
Come, Ronald, come Donald, come a' the gither
And crown your rightfu' lawfu' King!
For wha'll be King, but Charlie?
The Lowlands a' baith great and sma'
Wi' mony a lord and laird,
Hae' declar'd for Scotia's king, and law,
Spier ye what, but Charlie!
Come through the heather, around him gather,
Ye're a' the welcomer early
Around him cling wi' a' your kin,
For wha'll be King but Charlie?
Come through the heather, around him gather,
Come, Ronald, come Donald, come a' the gither
And crown your rightfu' lawfu' King!
For wha'll be King, but Charlie?
Then here's a health to Charlie's cause,
An' be it complete an' early,
His very name our heart's bluid warms,
To arms for Royal Charlie!
Come through the heather, around him gather,
Ye're a' the welcomer early
Around him cling wi' a' your kin,
For wha'll be King but Charlie?
Come through the heather, around him gather,
Come, Ronald, come Donald, come a' the gither
And crown your rightfu' lawfu' King!
For wha'll be King, but Charlie?
Related Links
From Seventy Scottish Songs
See Bibliography for full information.