Some traditional songs are strange, and this one is no exception. A chap comes back to Glasgow from campaigning with Wellington in 1815. He meets his girlfriend but she doesn't recognise him, so he tells her that her boyfriend is dead, he saw him die. If that's not bad enough, when she flings herself into his arms, he says "Hazzah, I was just joking, it's me really!" In real life I think he would have landed IN the Clyde, rather than walking by it.
BLOODY WATERLOO
Was a lady was a-walkin alang the banks o Clyde,
The tears ran doon her rosy cheeks as I passed by her side;
I saw her bosom heavin, her voice was low and true
She wis weepin for her Willie lad, who sailed for Waterloo.
As a soldier was a-walking, he did a fair maid spy,
He says, "My love, what aileth thee? thy bosom doth heave high
"I've lost my ain dear Willie, the lad I do lo'e true,
And A hanna heard frae Willie since he sailed for Waterloo. "
"What were the marks your Willie wore:" the soldier did enquire
"He wore a Hielan bonnet, a feather standin high:
His big broadsword hung by his side and his dark suit so true,
These were the marks my Willie wore when he sailed for Waterloo."
"I was your Willie's comrade, I saw your Willie die;
Six bay'net wounds were in his sides afore he doon wad lie.
Then holdin up his hand he cried, 'Some Frenchman's slain me noo'
It was I that closed your Willie's eyes on bloody Waterloo. "
"Oh Willie, dearest Willie! " - and she could say no more,
She flung herself in the soldier's arms while she thus the tidings bore
"Death open wide your jaws and swallow me up too
For Willie lies among the slain on bloody Waterloo. "
"Stand up stand up, my fair maid; my dearest, do not frown! "
An flingin' off his grey coat, his tartans they hung down;
His big broadsword hung by his side and his dark suit sae true,
"I am your ain dear Wille lad who sailed for Waterloo. "
"Stand up stand up, my fair maid; my dearest, do not frown! "
An flingin off his grey coat, his tartans they hung down;
"Now since we've met we ne'er shall pairt, till Death shall us divide
And hand in hand in wedlock bands alang the banks o Clyde. "
