K3

* The Battle of Culloden by Mark Churms ~ Courtesy Of Electric Scotlan d

The Clansman

You are my Chief, Its for your honour I serve,
In return for my services you have given.
A black house, perhaps 3 meters by 10
You might even say more than i deserve.

In this space you so kindly gave,
I live with my family of 5 and my animals.
This year the Runrig has given me good land to farm,
But this year you seem intent on taking me to my grave.

Cherlie has landed and you've summond me to your side,
Along with me stand my 3 sons.
Angus, 9 Dougal, 11 Donald, 12
Now who will farm my land as we march and you ride?

MY sons struggle to carry the Claymore and Targe,
You will not let me stop to kill a pig.
I do not remember the last time I ate,
But on your word I will Charge.

I will do this for you because if I don't,
You will burn my house and scortch my land.
Your warnings of desertion condemn my family,
By god I wont.

We will form with out neighbours on this featureless ground.
I will stand with my sons and never move.
My kilt is soaked through from the sleet.
Inverness isn't far....No....By Duty I am bound.

To my right I can see the McLeods who fought in Falkirk.
Their chief stands with them in prayer,
He wears the same kilt, and will fight with them.
I know this because he has Hanovarian blood on his dirk.

McLeod charged and fell with most of his clan,
I charged with my neighbours but most perished,
I didn't even see the enemy past the smoke from their muskets.
We fell back....I wasn't able to see a single uniform before we ran.

By Chance I meet Donald on the road to the west.
Angus and Dougal are dead among Cumberlands lines.
I will take my only son to the saftey of Inverness.
The towns smoke rises beyond the sodden crest.

We are lucky to live. I think my neighbours died in prison.
My Wife and Daughters are in Aberdeen,
But now we can go home. Perhaps my Chief will be there.
His bidding done, My house and land are in my vision,.

My house stands while many are destroyed.
There are no other families here now, Why?
Cumberlands men did not come this way
This place of man and animal is void.

Your men have been to see me
I left and you burned my house as well.
Because you have found more value in sheep.
I did what you asked, My sons died for you why must this be?

Go to the north? This piece of land by the cliffs?
I have few animals and no grass for them to graze.
I Thought Cumberland was the enemy.
I do not know how to fish!.

Ceitéach

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