The Book of Scottish Song/The yellow-haired Laddie

The yellow-haired Laddie.

[Thomas C. Latto.—Here first printed.]

The maidens are smiling in rocky Glencoe,
The clansmen are arming to rush on the foe,
Gay banners are streaming as forth pours the clan,
The yellow-haired laddie is first in the van.

The pibroch is kindling each heart to the war,
The Camerons' slogan is heard from afar,
They close for the struggle where many shall fall,
But the yellow-haired laddie is foremost of all.

He towers like a wave in the fierce rolling tide,
No kinsman of Evan's may stand by his side,
The Camerons gather around him alone,
He heeds not the danger, and fear is unknown.

The plumes of his bonnet are seen through the fight,
A beacon for valour which fires at the sight,
But he sees not yon claymore, ah! traitorous thrust!
The plumes and the bonnet are laid in the dust.

The maidens are smiling in rocky Glencoe,
The clansmen approach,—they have vanquish'd the foe,
But sudden the cheeks of the maidens are pale,
For the sound of the coronach comes on the gale.

The maidens are weeping in rocky Glencoe,
From warrior's eyelids the bitter drops flow.
They come,—but oh! where is their chieftain so dear?
The yellow-haired laddie is low on the bier.

The maidens are wailing in rocky Glencoe,
There's gloom in the valley,—at sunrise 'twill go,
But no sun can the gloom from their hearts chase away,
The yellow-haired laddie lies cauld in the clay.

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