| One of the largest collections of Scottish Ballads & Scots Folk Songs, lyrics, celtic music and downloads available on the internet. |
| Traditional Celtic Music, Scottish Songs & Border Ballads |
| Scots' musician, songwriter, & balladeer. |
| Hazel Whyte |
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| Broadsheet Ballads |
| The Defence Of Scotland |
| A simple brief thought on Scottish Independance. Were the outdated union not of some very high value to England and the English, why would they fight so to try to keep it? There are only so many slices to a pie, for one to have more, another must have less. Lastly - to those Scottish "Loyalists" - to whom are you loyal? Scots royalty died in the 1700's so it can be no Scots crown - And certainly not it appears to those who came before, that bled for Scotland and her freedom ! |
| In the words of Burns, as he wrote from the heart. Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled, Scots, wham Bruce has aften led, Welcome to your gory bed, Or to victorie. Now's the day, and now's the hour; See the front o' battle lour; See approach proud Edward's power, Chains and slaverie. Wha would be a traitor-knave? Wha can fill a coward's grave? Wha sae base as be a Slave? Let him turn and flie: Wha for Scotland's king and law, Freedom's sword will strongly draw, Free-man stand, or free-man fa', Let him follow me. By Oppression's woes and pains! By your Sons in servile chains! We will drain our dearest veins, But they shall be free! Lay the proud Usurpers low! Tyrants fall in every foe! Liberty's in every blow! Let us Do - or Die!!! Choose your destiny. |
| These are songs, ballads and rhymes taken straight from the old "broadsheet press" which existed in Scotland between about 1550 and 1890. Where possible we have simply put direct scans in place. |
| Circa 1803 |
| THE DEFENCE OF SCOTLAND A NEW BALLAD, FROM THE CALEDONIAN MERCURY, AUGUST 4, 1803. TUNE—" I bae been Courting at a Lass". A ULD ROBIN he came frae the town, An' a frighten'd man was he, " Fling by your wheels, ye wives," he cried, " And lasses ye maun flee ! " For a' the French are coming owre " As Fast as they can bang, " To spoil our lands, and feize our gear, " An' young and auld to hang. " They've sworn to do't, and BONAPARTE " Says Scotland he shall hae, " An' those that winna yield to him " He'll burn or else he'll slay. " Och ! an' Alas ' the days are gane "When BRUCE and WALLACE fought, " An' the fair freedom o' this land " Wi' manly vigour sought. " In their gude times nae tyrant dar'd " To Shew his hated face, " But is there ony spirit now " To save us frae disgrace !" The words nae sooner out were spoke Than twenty tongues cried" shame!" An' first young TAM stood forth in haste, The heartless c. to blame. " Wha says that Scotland's spirit's gane ? " Wha says her Sons are fnools ? " Wha fays they'll tamely bow the neck " To BONAPARTE'S tools? " Let Frenchmen loot to that disgrace, " But we sic meanness scorn. " We'll shew the Warld that men o' might " Are still in Scotland born. " The hearts that beat within our breasts " Know neither guilt nor fear ; " An' are these arms, think ye, owre weak " To wield the massy spear ? " We'll shew the Warld that not wi' BRUCE " Did Scotland's valour end, " An' that we've strength and courage yet " Our country to defend. " Then haste, my comrades bald, prepare " The haughty foe to meet ; " An' let the slaves of France behold " Their tyrant at our feet!" |
