In commemoration of the victory at Bannockburn, Scottish poet Robert Burns penned one of his most famous verses--on this day in 1786:
Scots! wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
Scots! wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to victory!
Now's the day, and now's the hour;
See the front o' battle lour:
See approach proud Edward's power;
Chains and slavery!
Wha will be a traitor knave?
Wha can fill a coward's grave?
Wha sae base as be a slave?
Let him turn and flee!
Wha for Scotland's King and law;
Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
Freeman stand, or freeman fa'?
Let him on wi' 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!
So may God ever defend the cause of truth and liberty, as He did that day! Amen.
2 comments:
Have you ever heard the hymn derived from this Burns ballad? It's entitled "Soldiers of the Cross Arise" and the tune name is Bruce's Address.
It recasts Edward as satan. ::cough::
Should the paths of Clan Grant and Clan Bruce ever cross again, we'd be happy to sing it for you.
Lynn the Bruce
Clan Donald would be glad to listen in on that serenade :)
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