Traditional Scottish Songs
- The Campbells are Comin'

The Campbells were one of the most powerful clans in Scotland. Robert Burns took the start of a Jacobite song about the Campbells joining the fray but then alludes to Mary Queen of Scots at Lochleven Castle (where she was imprisoned in 1567). "Great Argyle" ( a Campbell) was the 5th Earl who rescued her from there.


The Campbells are Comin'

chorus
The Campbells are comin, Oho! Oho!
The Campbells are comin, Oho! Oho!
The Campbells are comin to bonie Lochleven,
The Campbells are comin Oho! Oho!

Upon the Lomonds I lay, I lay,
Upon the Lomonds I lay, I lay,
I looked down to bonie Lochleven,
And saw three bonie perches play

chorus

Great Argyle he goes before,
He maks his cannons and guns to roar,
Wi' sound o trumpet, pipe and drum
The Campbells are comin Oho, Oho!

chorus

The Campbells they are a' in arms
Their loyal faith and truth to show,
Wi banners rattling in the wind
The Campbells are comin Oho, Oho!

chorus

Meaning of unusual words:
perches=a freshwater fish

Return to the Index of Traditional Scottish Songs




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