Henny Monroe. Now Henny Monroe, she married a soldier, And followed wi' him the whole world over. Wherever they went, there was no-one bolder, Than beautiful Henny; the wife of Monroe. But one day in Scicily, Donald lay dying; A bullet had caught him and laid him out low. Our Henny she buried him where he was lying, And back to Carnbeg came brave Henny Monroe. When Henny Monroe, to Scotland came back, All her neighbours agreed for nothing she'd lack. So they gave her a cow, a cottage and tack, For to pass the old age of brave Henny Monroe. They gave her a table, a chair and a chest, And they listened at night to the tales that she'd tell, Of the campaigns in Spain and the wounds that she'd dressed; Oh wild were the stories of Henny Monroe. Now Henny was grey, the snow was a' falling When Sellar the factor, one night came calling. "Get out of here fast." His men were appalling, They're burning the cottage of Henny Monroe. We've orders from Sutherland, Duke of this county, "It's wanted for sheep, so away you must go." Then one of his company threw in a torch, And frightened the life out of Henny Monroe. They took her meal chest, and laughingly spilled it, They took her one cow, and laughingly killed it. The minister said, "The good Lord has willed it." To punish poor wicked old Henny Monroe. I've travelled the world and seen the barbarian, Followed my Donald, wherever he'd go. But Scotland, my country, the land I was born in; Has broken the heart of brave Henny Monroe. A man took a pole, and smashed in her gable, Her furniture burned; her chair and her table. To save her own skin, she was only just able, Oh loud were the cursings of brave Henny Monroe. "A curse on your children", cried Henny the widow, "If Donald was living, he'd give you a show". What Russia and Turkey and Scicily could'nt do, Scotland has done to brave Henny Monroe.
Music; traditional. Content copyright © 2000 held by the author; Ian Hall.
