Henry's Songbook

Kenmure's on and awa', Willie
Kenmure's on and awa'
In truth he was thought the bravest lord
That ever Galloway saw

Success to Kenmure's band, Willie
Success to Kenmure's band
There's no a man that fears a Whig
That rides in Kenmure's band

Here's Kenmure's health in wine, Willie
Here's Kenmure's health in wine
There ne'er was a coward of Kenmure's blood
Nor yet o' Gordon line

Kenmure's lads are men, Willie
Kenmure's lads are men
Their hearts and swords are metal true
And that their foes shall ken

We'll live or die wi' fame, Willie
We'll live or die wi' fame
And soon wi' resounding victory
May Kenmure's lads come hame

Here's him that's far awa', Willie
Here's him that's far awa'
And here's the floo'er that I lo'e best
The rose that's like the snaw

Repeat 1

(as sung by The McCalmans)

[?:] The hero of this ballad was Viscount Kenmure, leader of the Chevaliers forces, 1715. He advanced as far south as Preston in Lancs., was there taken prisoner and marched to London. In 1716 he was tried and beheaded on Tower Hill. (Songs of Scotland?)

[1983:] Kenmure was one of the major generals in the 1715 rebellion. He was killed. (McCalmans, intro T 1)

[1986:] [In June, 1794, Burns and his neighbour John Syme] spent three days at Kenmure Castle, the home of the Jacobite Earl of Kenmure, who had taken part in the 1715 uprising. (Grimble, Robert Burns 118)