Poems Inspired By The Battle of Culloden

" Mo Ghile Mear "
-Sean Clarach Mac Domhnaill
	Once I was fair as a morn of May,
Now all I do is grieve and pray,
And scan the surging ocean waves
Since my gallant laddie went away.

Refrain:
'Se mo laoch, mo Ghile Mear,
'Se mo Chaesar, ghile Mear,
Suan na sean ni bhfuaireas fein
O Chuaigh in gcein mo Ghile Mear

Pain and sorrow are all I know,
My heart is sore, my tears a'flow
Since o'er the seas we saw him go
No news has come to ease our woe.

In chestnut trees no birdsong sounds,
The glens no more echo with coursing hounds,
Winter's gloom lasts all year 'round,
Since my laddie left for to seek his crown.

A proud and youthful chevalier,
A highland lion of cheerful mien,
A slashing blade, a flashing shield,
Fighting foremost in the field.

Come, drain your cups as wild harps play
Let every Celts praise his noble name
As long as blood flows in your veins
Raise a toast for his health, wish him length of days.

Hero whose hopes have turned to smoke,
Erin all wrapped in mourning cloak,
I watch and wait, I dread my fate,
Since my gallant laddie went away.

Lochiel, Lochiel! beware of the day
When the Lowlands shall meet thee in battle array!
For a field of the dead rushes red on my sight,
And the clans of Culloden are scattered in fight.

They rally, they bleed, for their country and crown;
Woe, woe, to the rider that tramples them down!
Proud Cumberland prances, insulting the slain,
And their hoof-beaten bosoms are trod to the plain.

Campbell.


"Yet when the rage of battle ceased,
The victor's soul was not appeased,
The naked and forlorn must feel
Devouring flames and murdering steel!

"The pious mother, doomed to death,
Forsaken wanders o'er the heath;
The bleak wind whistles round her head;
Her helpless orphans cry for bread.

"Bereft of shelter, food, and friend,
She views the shade of light descend;
And, stretched beneath the inclement skies
Weeps o'er her tender babes - and dies.

"While the warm blood bedews my veins,
And unimpaired remembrance reigns,
Resentment of my country's fate
Within my filial breast shall beat."
-Tears of Scotland.


" Heather's Lullaby "




" A Woman to her husband after the Battle of Culloden "




Hear the Story of the Brave Hero MacBane
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