The White Cockade
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Ron Clarke
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Lyrics
Jacobite Troops had no formal uniform. The white cockade on a blue bonnet became their emblem. It is said to have originated when Bonnie Prince Charlie picked a wild rose and pinned it to his hat.

This Robert Burns version (there are many others) was based on the song "My love was born in Aberdeen", which appeared Herd's Ancient and Modern Scottish Songs in 1776.

For other Jacobite tunes go to the bottom of The Contemplator's Short History of the Jacobite Uprisings.

For a full list of Burns tunes at this site, enter Robert Burns in the search engine.

My love was born in Aberdeen,
The boniest lad that e'er was seen,
But now he makes our hearts fu' sad,
He takes the Field wi' his White Cockade.

Chorus:
O he's a ranting, roving lad,
He is a brisk an a bonny lad,
Betide what may, I will be wed,
And follow the boy wi the White Cockade.
I'll sell my rock, my reel, my tow,
My gude gray mare and hawkit cow;
To buy mysel a tartan plaid,
To follow the boy wi the White Cockade.

Chorus:
O he's a ranting, roving lad,
He is a brisk an a bonny lad,
Betide what may, I will be wed,
And follow the boy wi the White Cockade.
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