Hector MacDonald Away far in the heart of the highlands Where eagles arise on the wings of the morn There stands the wee cot of a poor humble crofter Where Scotland's great hero, young Hector, was born And there in the bright days of boyhood he wandered Up on the mountains and down through the glen While deeply and fondly the young hero pondered On Scotland's great soldiers and brave Highlandmen Chorus Oh Hector, just how could we know? How quickly your legend would grow. The nation is now in your debt, But how quickly the people forget. The morning of youth with its bright visions bore him Far away from the home where so happy he'd been Inspired by the deeds of his fathers before him Resolved him to fight for his country and Queen And soon from the ranks of the army he bounded For he was a true born soldier of war And when the fierce Afghans, his small force surrounded He drove them before him to wild Kandahar Chorus In countries far scattered we read his life's story 'Tis linked with the triumphs that Britons can claim Omdurman's the gem, in his great roll of glory It added the crown to his world-wide fame And now the great soldier's brave soul has departed His great lion heart is at rest in the grave Oh God; for to think that he died broken hearted Oh sleep, noble hero, the sleep of the brave Chorus
Music; traditional. Content copyright © 2000 held by the author; Ian Hall.
