Traditional Scottish Songs
- Bonnie Dundee

John Graham, Viscount of Claverhouse, was regarded as "Bonnie Dundee" by his supporters and "Bloody Clavers" by his enemies. He reputedly saved the life of William of Orange while fighting on the continent and later earned his reputation repressing uprisings by the Covenanters. In fact, he urged moderation. He was made Viscount Dundee by King James VII in 1688 and fought for the Jacobite cause. He won a convincing victory at the battle of Killiecrankie in 1689 but died in the conflict.

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Bonnie Dundee

Tae the lairds i' convention t'was Claverhouse spoke
E'er the Kings crown go down, there'll be crowns to be broke;
Then let each cavalier who loves honour and me,
Come follow the bonnet o' bonnie Dundee.

Chorus
Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can,
Saddle my horses and call out my men,
And it's Ho! for the west port and let us gae free,
And we'll follow the bonnets o' bonnie Dundee!

Dundee he is mounted, he rides doon the street,
The bells they ring backwards, the drums they are beat,
But the Provost, douce man, says "Just e'en let him be,
For the toon is well rid of that de'il o' Dundee."

Chorus

There are hills beyond Pentland and lands beyond Forth,
Be there lairds i' the south, there are chiefs i' the north!
There are brave duniwassals, three thousand times three,
Will cry "Hoy!" for the bonnets o' bonnie Dundee.

Chorus

Then awa' to the hills, to the lea, to the rocks,
E'er I own a usurper, I'll couch wi' the fox!
Then tremble, false Whigs, in the midst o' your glee,
Ye ha' no seen the last o' my bonnets and me.

Chorus

Meaning of unusual words:
laird=major landowner
douce=gentle
duniwassals=gentlemen

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