The Year That's Awa (1)/Waes Me for Prince Charlie

by Anonymous

For other versions of this work, see Waes Me for Prince Charlie.

WAES ME FOR PRINCE CHARLIE.

Tune—Bonnie House o' Airley.

A wee bird cam to our ha' door,
It warbled! sweet and clearly;
And aye the o'ercome o' its Sang.
Was "Waes me for Prince Charlie!"
O, when I heard the bonnie sound,
My heart maist burstet fairly,
I took the bonnet aff my head,
For weel I lov'd Prince Charlie.

On hills that are by right his ain,
He roams a lonely stranger;
On every side he's press'd by want—
On every side is danger:
Yestreen I met him in a Glen,
My heart maist burstet fairly;
For sadly chang'd, indeed was he,
O, waes me for Prince Charlie!

Dark night came on, the tempest roar'd
Loud o'er the hills and valleys;
And where was't your Prince lay down,
Whase hame should been a palace?
He row'd him in his Highland plaid,
That cover'd him but sparely;
He slept beneath a bush o' broom:
O, waes me for Prince Charlie!

The wee bird saw some red-coats come,
He shook his wings wi' anger,
Saying, "This is not a land for me,
I'll tarry here nae langer."
It hovered on the wing awhile,
Ere it departed fairly;
But weel I mind the fureweel strain,
Was Waes me for Prince Charlie!
Glen.

 

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