The Bonnie Blue Capt Charles Gray RM. Tyrant trumpets sounded far, horsemen rade their graith tae war The English come up frae Dunbar apon a misty morning Prince Charlie wi' the heiland host lay westward on the Lothian coast Johnny bragged wi' many's the boast, he'd roust them e'er next morning Chorus Run, run ye gangling crew, this morning's work ye lang will rue The bonnie blue bonnets are after you tae wish ye's a' a guid morning Lang e'r the cock proclaimed it day, the prince's men stood in array Though impatient for the fray, bent low the knee that morning When row-dow, rolled the English drum, the heiland bagpipe ga'ed a bum And told the mountain clans had come, wi death and danger scorning Chorus Ilk hand was firm, ilk heart was true, a shot and doon their guns they threw Forth their dreadful claymores drew apon that fateful morning The English raised a loud hussah, but durstna bide the brunt ava' They wavered, turned, syne, ran awa', like sheep at shepherd's warning Chorus Fast, fast their foot and horsemen flew, caps were mixed wi' bonnie blue Dirks were wet, but no wi' dew, apon that fatal morning Few stayed, save ae devoted band, to bide the blow frae heiland brand That swept aroond, and head and hand, lopped on that fateful morning Chorus But sad mishap that few befell, when faint had grown the battle's yell Still Gardiner fought and fighting fell, apon that fatal morning Nae braggard, but a sodger he, wha scorned wi' coward loons tae flee And fell beneath the old thorn tree apon that fearsome morning Chorus To boast of deeds becomes us ill, yet Scotland has her borders still Be there some would have their will, for want o' thought or learning The Roman legions tried in vain, the Saxon, Dane, the Norseman came Nane o' them could us contain, so heed this gentle warning Run, run, ye gangling crew, this mornings work ye lang will rue But a' we really want to do is wish ye's a' a guid morning!
Music; traditional. Content copyright © 2000 held by the author; Ian Hall.
