MAM: The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond

Lately we've been listening to some children's music with Pearl, and although neither JunkMale or I had heard this one before, it has become one of favorites. It's an old Jacobite* folk song with a very catchy tune.

*For those certain family members who don't know their history (*wink*), Jacobites were Scottish revolutionaries in the 16- and 1700s who tried to restore the Stuart monarchy to Scotland. The revolution was ended with a decisive defeat in the Battle of Culloden. It lead to the destruction of the clan system in Scotland and the Dress Act, which made the wearing of tartans and kilts illegal.



Lyrics:

By yon bonnie banks
And by yon bonnie braes,
Where the sun shines bright
On Loch Lomond
Oh we twa ha'e pass'd
sae mony blithesome days,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks
O' Loch Lomond.

Chorus
Oh ye'll tak' the high road
and I'll tak' the low road,
An' I'll be in Scotland before ye',
But wae is my heart until we meet again
On the Bonnie, bonnie banks
O' Loch Lomond.

I mind where we parted
In yon shady glen
On the steep, steep side
O' Ben Lomon'
Where in purple hue
The highland hills we view
And the morn shines out
Frae the gloamin'

Chorus

The wee bird may sing
An' the wild flowers spring;
An' in sunshine the waters are sleepin'
But the broken heart
It sees nae second spring,
And the world does na ken
How we're greetin'

Chorus