This got published in a newsletter of a real Scottish clan. Enjoy!
{(c) 2002}
During the turn of the thirteenth to the fourteenth century, Scotland faced a bitter war against Edward de Longshanks Plantagenet (Edward I of England, who, incredibly, had royal Scottish ancestry) and his English forces that, in its fruition, won Scotland her freedom at Bannockburn in AD 1314 (by this time, Longshanks son, Edward II, had taken charge against the Scots). This war was not fought solely by the born Scot, but also by Anglo-Norman and Anglo-Saxon English defectors, as well as forces from Ireland, France, and a score or two of the elite Knights Templars sect, who were brought in for the purpose of tutoring the rag-tag Scottish farmers and their allies toward more adept fighting techniques. The author of this poem wishes to express that the attitude herein is one of enmity with tyranny; the poem is not anti-English propaganda of any sort. Americans should, and do, enjoy their freedom, and should sympathize with the modern Scottish cause for liberty and self-governance, as well as appreciate Scotlands ancient history of her pursuit of these precious privileges.
A CALL TAE* WAR
Claymores* Up, and Fight the Heathen
Swing, ye Lads, til This Fields Mown,
Scotlands Foes Nae* Longer Breathin,
Evils Seeds Nae Longer Sown
Weve a Score, or Twa,* O English
Come tae gie* their Aid besides
Bless their Hearts, now, whos tae blame em
In Them, too, Alba* resides
Weel,* They fell fa* Our dear Lassies,
Pledged their Swords tae Scotlands Cause
Left Awa* their Englands grassies,
An They Taunt, wi Us, Deaths Jaws
Come ye Comyn, Duff, an Buchan*
All ye Born on This Fair Shore
Hail the Foreign Friends of Alba
Joined, Well Settle weel This Score
Longshanks has the Blood O Kenneth*
Flowin weel within his vein
Howd he bloody turn backstabber?
Put his kinsmen through such Pain?
Well soon show him how We Deal wi*
Traitors to Our Country Dear
Let him get off his high horse an
Deal wi Our Real Men Up Here!
Come, ye Lads, Defy the Tyrant!
Pray Tae Christ on Bended Knee
Our Dear Lords Full Might Surrounds Us
Heard Ye Wallace?*
SCOTLANDS FREE!
Steve J. Canton (7/23/02, A.M.) (May Be Sung To The Tune Of: Come Thou, Fount Of Every Blessing, Whatever That Tune May Be Called)
Footnotes:
Tae: to
Claymore: medieval Scottish broadsword
Nae: no
Twa: two
Gie: give
Alba: ancient name for Scotland
Weel: well
Fa: for
Awa: away
Comyn, Duff, an Buchan: the narrator is calling for members of these Scottish clans to join the fight
Kenneth: Kenneth MacAlpin, ninth-century king of the first united Scotland
Wi: with
Wallace: Sir William Wallace, thirteenth/fourteenth century High Protector of Scotland, patriot who fought to free fellow Scots from Longshanks tyrannical rule
{(c) 2002}
During the turn of the thirteenth to the fourteenth century, Scotland faced a bitter war against Edward de Longshanks Plantagenet (Edward I of England, who, incredibly, had royal Scottish ancestry) and his English forces that, in its fruition, won Scotland her freedom at Bannockburn in AD 1314 (by this time, Longshanks son, Edward II, had taken charge against the Scots). This war was not fought solely by the born Scot, but also by Anglo-Norman and Anglo-Saxon English defectors, as well as forces from Ireland, France, and a score or two of the elite Knights Templars sect, who were brought in for the purpose of tutoring the rag-tag Scottish farmers and their allies toward more adept fighting techniques. The author of this poem wishes to express that the attitude herein is one of enmity with tyranny; the poem is not anti-English propaganda of any sort. Americans should, and do, enjoy their freedom, and should sympathize with the modern Scottish cause for liberty and self-governance, as well as appreciate Scotlands ancient history of her pursuit of these precious privileges.
A CALL TAE* WAR
Claymores* Up, and Fight the Heathen
Swing, ye Lads, til This Fields Mown,
Scotlands Foes Nae* Longer Breathin,
Evils Seeds Nae Longer Sown
Weve a Score, or Twa,* O English
Come tae gie* their Aid besides
Bless their Hearts, now, whos tae blame em
In Them, too, Alba* resides
Weel,* They fell fa* Our dear Lassies,
Pledged their Swords tae Scotlands Cause
Left Awa* their Englands grassies,
An They Taunt, wi Us, Deaths Jaws
Come ye Comyn, Duff, an Buchan*
All ye Born on This Fair Shore
Hail the Foreign Friends of Alba
Joined, Well Settle weel This Score
Longshanks has the Blood O Kenneth*
Flowin weel within his vein
Howd he bloody turn backstabber?
Put his kinsmen through such Pain?
Well soon show him how We Deal wi*
Traitors to Our Country Dear
Let him get off his high horse an
Deal wi Our Real Men Up Here!
Come, ye Lads, Defy the Tyrant!
Pray Tae Christ on Bended Knee
Our Dear Lords Full Might Surrounds Us
Heard Ye Wallace?*
SCOTLANDS FREE!
Steve J. Canton (7/23/02, A.M.) (May Be Sung To The Tune Of: Come Thou, Fount Of Every Blessing, Whatever That Tune May Be Called)
Footnotes:
Tae: to
Claymore: medieval Scottish broadsword
Nae: no
Twa: two
Gie: give
Alba: ancient name for Scotland
Weel: well
Fa: for
Awa: away
Comyn, Duff, an Buchan: the narrator is calling for members of these Scottish clans to join the fight
Kenneth: Kenneth MacAlpin, ninth-century king of the first united Scotland
Wi: with
Wallace: Sir William Wallace, thirteenth/fourteenth century High Protector of Scotland, patriot who fought to free fellow Scots from Longshanks tyrannical rule
