Traditional Scottish Songs
- Scots wha' hae'

From time to time there is a debate about a new Scottish National Anthem. "Scots wha' hae'" and "Scotland the Brave" were early contenders for the honour. Here, is "Scots wha' hae'" (Scots who have) written by Robert Burns as he imagined Robert the Bruce addressing his troops at Bannockburn.

You can also access an MP3 version of this song. Right click here and choose "Save link as" or "Save target as" to save the MP3 file to your hard disk (1.3Mb) or access the Web site if you want to play it first.


Scots wha' hae'

Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed
    Or to victorie!
Now's the day, and now's the hour:
See the front o' battle lour,
See approach proud Edward's power
    Chains and slaverie!
Wha will be a traitor knave?
Wha can fill a coward's grave?
Wha sae base as be a slave?
    Let him turn, and fleel
Wha for Scotland's King and Law
Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
Freeman stand, or freeman fa',
    Let him follow me!
By Oppression's woes and pains,
By your sons in servile chains,
We will drain our dearest veins
    But they shall be free!

Return to the Index of Traditional Scottish Songs



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