Traditional Scottish Songs
- Wha'll Be King But Charlie?

This Jacobite song about the landing of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the gathering of the clans may have been written (or at least recorded) by Lady Caroline Nairnie.


Wha'll Be King But Charlie?

The news frae Moidart cam' yestreen,
Will soon gar monie ferlie;
For ships o' war hae just came in,
And landit Royal Charlie.

Chorus
Come thro' the heather, around him gather,
Ye're a' the welcomer early;
Around him cling wi' a' your kin;
For wha'll be King but Charlie?
Come thro' the heather, around him gather,
Come Ronald come Donald, come a' thegither,
And crown your rightfu' lawfu' King!
For wha'll be King but Charlie?

The Hieland clans, wi' sword in hand,
Frae John o' Groats to Airlie,
Hae to a man declared to stand
Or fa' wi' Royal Charlie.

Chorus

The lowlands a', baith great an' sma',
Wi' mony a Lord and Laird, hae
Declar'd for Scotia's king an' law,
An speir ye wha but Charlie.

Chorus

There's ne'er a lass in a' the lan'
But vows baith late an' early,
She'll ne'er to man gie her heart nor han',
Wha wadna fecht for Charlie.

Chorus

Then there's a health to Charlie's cause,
And be't complete an' early;
His very name our heart's blood warms;
To arms for Royal Charlie!

Chorus

Meaning of unusual words:
gar=make
fairlie=marvel
thegither=together
speir=speak

Return to the Index of Traditional Scottish Songs




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