 | The songs and poems of Robert Tannahill |  |
BRAVE LEWIE ROY.
Brave Lewie Roy was the flower of our Highlandmen,
Tall as the oak on the lofty Benvoirlich,
Fleet as the light-bounding tenants of Fillan glen,
Dearer than life to his lovely nighean choidheach.
Lone was his biding, the cave of his hiding,
When forced to retire with our gallant Prince Charlie;
Though manly and fearless, his bold heart was cheerless,
Away from the lady he aye loved so dearly.
Tall as the oak on the lofty Benvoirlich,
Fleet as the light-bounding tenants of Fillan glen,
Dearer than life to his lovely nighean choidheach.
Lone was his biding, the cave of his hiding,
When forced to retire with our gallant Prince Charlie;
Though manly and fearless, his bold heart was cheerless,
Away from the lady he aye loved so dearly.
[But woe on the bloodthirsty mandates of Cumberland,
Woe on the bloodthirsty gang that fulfilled them;
Poor Caledonia! bleeding and plunder'd land,
Where shall thy children now shelter and shield them?
Keen prowl the cravens like merciless ravens,
Their prey the devoted adherents of Charlie;
Brave Lewie is taken, cowardly hacked and slain,
Ah! his nighean choidheach will mourn for him sairly.
Woe on the bloodthirsty gang that fulfilled them;
Poor Caledonia! bleeding and plunder'd land,
Where shall thy children now shelter and shield them?
Keen prowl the cravens like merciless ravens,
Their prey the devoted adherents of Charlie;
Brave Lewie is taken, cowardly hacked and slain,
Ah! his nighean choidheach will mourn for him sairly.
—A. R.
| The songs and poems of Robert Tannahill | |